Fees and Payment
Payment Options at Compass Dental Care
Zip Pay interest-free plans. HICAPS on-the-spot claims. All major health funds. ADF Family Health. DVA provider. CDBS for kids. Located in Parap, Darwin.
How We Handle Payment at Our Darwin Clinic
HICAPS On-the-Spot Health Fund Claims
We have HICAPS at our Parap clinic. At the end of your appointment, we swipe your health fund card and your rebate is deducted immediately — you only pay the gap. No forms to fill in, no waiting for reimbursement, no following up with your fund afterwards.
We accept all major funds including Medibank, Bupa, HCF, NIB, HBF, CBHS, and others. We are not affiliated with any particular fund and are happy to process claims from any fund with a dental product.
Written Treatment Estimates
Before any treatment beyond a routine check-up and clean, we provide a written estimate listing the procedure codes, fees, and any applicable health fund rebate. You will know exactly what you are up for before we begin.
This also gives you the opportunity to call your health fund directly to confirm your rebate entitlement before your next appointment. We will provide you with the ADA item numbers you need.
DVA — Direct Billing for Veterans
Compass Dental Care is a registered Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) provider. Holders of a DVA Gold Card or White Card (for accepted conditions) can receive eligible dental treatment at our Darwin clinic with the cost billed directly to DVA — no out-of-pocket payment required for covered services.
Dr Thien Pham served in the Australian military and has a genuine understanding of the dental needs of veterans. Call us on (08) 8995 9530 to confirm your entitlements before your first appointment.
Zip Pay & Zip Money — Interest-Free Payment Plans
We offer Zip Pay and Zip Money at our Parap clinic so you can spread the cost of dental treatment into manageable instalments. Zip Pay is interest-free for purchases up to $1,000 with flexible weekly, fortnightly, or monthly repayments. Zip Money covers larger treatment plans — up to $50,000 — with interest-free periods available.
Apply online in minutes and get approved before your appointment. No lengthy paperwork at the clinic. This is particularly useful for larger treatments like dental implants, crowns, orthodontics, or full mouth rehabilitation where the total cost can be significant.
There is no reason to delay dental care because of cost. Talk to our team about setting up Zip before your next appointment.
ADF Family Health — Defence Families
Compass Dental Care welcomes families of Australian Defence Force members — Army, Navy, and Air Force — covered under the ADF Family Health Program. This Commonwealth-funded program provides health cover for eligible dependants (spouses and children) of permanent ADF members and Reservists on Continuous Full-Time Service.
Dental services with an MBS item number are covered. The program provides up to $800 per financial year per registered dependant, pooled across all allied health services. We process ADF Family Health claims electronically through HICAPS at our Parap clinic — your benefit is applied on the spot. You can also combine this with private health insurance to further reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Darwin has a large defence community — Robertson Barracks, RAAF Base Darwin, and HMAS Coonawarra are all nearby — and we see many ADF families at our practice. Bring your ADF Family Health card to your appointment. If you are unsure about your entitlements, call us on (08) 8995 9530.
CDBS — Child Dental Benefits Schedule
Eligible children aged 2 to 17 can access up to $1,095 in Medicare dental benefits over a two-year period. CDBS covers basic dental services including check-ups, X-rays, cleans, fluoride, fissure sealants, fillings, and extractions.
CDBS is accepted at Compass Dental Care — not bulk billed. Parents pay at the time of service and claim the Medicare rebate. We can process claims on the spot or provide documentation for you to claim directly.
Understanding Your Dental Costs
Dental treatment can feel confusing when it comes to fees and rebates. Here is a straightforward explanation of how it works at our Parap clinic in Darwin:
- Practice fee — the amount we charge for each procedure, listed using standard ADA item numbers
- Health fund rebate — the amount your fund will pay, based on your policy and the item numbers involved
- Gap — the difference between the practice fee and the rebate; this is what you pay out of pocket
With HICAPS, the rebate is deducted at the time of payment — you only hand over the gap amount. Without HICAPS (or for funds not on HICAPS), you pay the full fee and your fund reimburses you directly.
We accept cash, EFTPOS, Visa, and Mastercard. We do not accept American Express. Payment is due at the time of service.
Prioritising Treatment Within Your Budget
If you have a number of treatment needs and a limited budget, Dr Pham will help you identify which treatments are most urgent and which can be staged over time. Urgent treatment — such as pain relief, infection management, or stabilising a badly decayed tooth — is always prioritised.
Staging treatment across multiple appointments, or across multiple calendar years where health fund limits apply, is a practical strategy we discuss with patients regularly. We want you to get the care you need in a way that is manageable for your circumstances.
We welcome patients from across Darwin — including Fannie Bay, Larrakeyah, The Gardens, Bayview, Darwin City, and Ludmilla — at our Parap Village clinic. Saturday morning appointments are available from 8:30am to 12:30pm for those who cannot attend during the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Compass Dental Care offer payment plans?
Yes. We offer flexible payment options and can discuss arrangements for larger treatment plans. We process HICAPS health fund claims on the spot to reduce out-of-pocket costs. Call (08) 8995 9530 to discuss what options are available for your situation.
Does Compass Dental Care have HICAPS?
Yes. We have HICAPS at our Parap clinic. Your health fund rebate is deducted immediately at payment — you only pay the gap. No forms, no waiting for reimbursement.
Which health funds does Compass Dental Care accept?
We accept all major Australian health funds through HICAPS, including Medibank, Bupa, HCF, NIB, HBF, CBHS, and others. We are not affiliated with any particular fund and are happy to process claims from any fund with a dental product.
Does Compass Dental Care bulk bill?
No. We do not bulk bill. We charge our standard fee for each service. DVA Gold and White Card holders are an exception — eligible services are billed directly to DVA. CDBS-eligible children receive a Medicare rebate, but the practice fee applies.
How much will I pay out of pocket for dental treatment?
Out-of-pocket cost depends on the treatment, your health fund, and your level of cover. We always provide a written treatment estimate before proceeding. You can also call your health fund directly with the item numbers we provide to ask about your rebate entitlement.
Does Compass Dental Care offer Zip Pay?
Yes. We offer both Zip Pay (interest-free up to $1,000) and Zip Money (for larger treatment plans up to $50,000 with interest-free periods). Apply online before your appointment and pay in manageable instalments — weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.
Can ADF families claim dental at Compass Dental Care?
Yes. We accept the ADF Family Health Program, which covers dependants of permanent ADF members. The program provides up to $800 per year per dependant for allied health services including dental. We process claims electronically through HICAPS. You can also combine this with private health insurance to reduce your gap further.
Related Services
Questions About Fees? Call Our Parap Team.
We are happy to discuss costs, health fund rebates, and treatment staging before you commit to anything. No pressure, no surprises.
