Paying your account is simple through our online portal.
How do I pay my account?
I have private health insurance, so why did I receive an invoice?
During your hospital stay, Slade Pharmacy provides medication as determined by your prescribing doctor, however your private health fund determines your payment responsibility. If you have any questions regarding payment, please contact your health fund about what you are being charged for, or discuss the medication prescribed to you with your doctor. Medications you receive when being discharged are not usually covered by health funds, and there may be other medications with out-of-pocket costs.
Why am I being charged for pharmaceutical items?
In line with hospital and health fund policies, you are responsible for the cost of medications you were taking prior to your stay in hospital, and not related to the reason for your admission, and/or medications prescribed for you on discharge. Please contact your health fund for further detail around your policy cover.
I have a concession or Safety Net card. Why am I being charged the full price?
Some medication prescriptions do not qualify for Safety Net benefits. This can include private prescriptions, premium brands or medication not covered by the PBS. To understand the eligibility of your prescriptions on the PBS, our pharmacists can confirm this for you. If a prescription is provided to a pharmacy within 20 days of a past script for the same medication, you will be unable to receive the Safety Net Benefit even if your threshold has been reached.
What are private scripts?
A private script is one that is not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The full cost is the responsibility of the patient. Concession, certain DVA and Safety Net benefits do not apply to private prescriptions. A private prescription is recorded on your invoice with a ‘no’ under the PBS column.
Why do some PBS prescriptions have an additional cost?
The government can occasionally add a special charge to some brands of medication. One of the most common charges is known as ‘Brand Price Premium.’ To learn more about these charges, please discuss this with your doctor who may suggest a different brand that does not include this charge.
Why are there two or more charges for the same medication?
If the quantity of tablets from one prescription is less than what you will need in a month, you may need another script dispensed to provide the sufficient dosage. This commonly occurs with paracetamol, prochlorperazine and tramadol.
In addition to regular (packed) medication, aged care residents may sometimes require extra doses of unpacked medication which will be ordered by the doctor or staff at your facility on your behalf.
Why is the name of the medication different to the name I know?
Every medication has two names: the generic name and the brand name. The generic name is the name of the medication, whereas the brand name is given by the company who makes it. Paracetamol is a generic name while Panadol, Panamax and Herron are brand names for paracetamol. On your pharmacy account, the generic name will always be used as it does not change.
Why do some medications cost more than others?
The pricing of some medications may not be subsidised by the government through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This means that the full cost will appear on your invoice. You can see this by reviewing the PBS column on your invoice.
Why have I been charged the same amount for different quantities of the same medication?
If applicable, your doctor can request a special prescription from the government which is called an Authority Prescription. This means that Slade Pharmacy can dispense increased quantities of medication at the same price.
What is hospital discharge medication?
After you have left the hospital, your doctor may have prescribed medication for your continued care. This medication, known as discharge medication, is not covered by your private health fund.
You may be invoiced for medication provided in hospital or upon discharge. This will depend on the health fund policy you have.
What if I am a Hospital DVA Patient?
The cost of medication given during your hospital stay is calculated by the type of DVA card you have:
- Gold Card: All inpatient and discharge drugs are covered under your hospital admission, providing the item is on the PBS and is prescribed in the correct manner for it to be covered. Personal items such as toiletries are not included
- White Card: DVA covers you for only certain medical conditions so you may receive a separate pharmacy account for other items
- Orange Card: DVA subsidises the cost of your medications, therefore you will receive an account for the co-payment portion of any non-admission related medication used during admission or supplied on discharge
Important: Discharge medications may not be covered.
Why didn’t I receive a receipt for my medications?
A receipt is not issued automatically following payment but if you need one, please contact us.
Can I bring my own medications to hospital?
If your medication is in the original pack, you can bring it with you to hospital. As per hospital policies, medications supplied in blister packs or other dose administration aids are unable to be used during your time in hospital. Please feel free to discuss this with your Slade pharmacist or your care team during your hospital admission.
Can a medication be returned and refunded as credit?
As soon as a medication leaves the pharmacy it cannot be returned, as the safety of the medication can’t be guaranteed. Slade are unable to issue refunds or credit to any medication that has left the pharmacy. Slade works with hospital staff to provide patient discharge prescriptions and ensure the correct medication and dosage is supplied. It is important that you check your medication before leaving the pharmacy. This policy applies to any medication that results in an allergic reaction.