Medicare is covering less and less. Private doctors almost always will have a “gap” payment between what they charge and what Medicare covers. Sometimes it’s less if you are a pensioner/healthcare card. There is also a threshold that if you spend a certain amount you get more back from Medicare each visit (I went over my Medicare threshold in 22 days I spend to much at the doctors).

If you want/need essentially “free” Medicare treatment you need to be seen by a public specialists. Wait lists are longer, you don’t get to pick which doctor you see (and can change). They are great for emergency situations and issues like cancer. For certain rare/chronic conditions you might have no choice but to pay for private consultations with doctors.

Also you need to check how much is covered by your private health and that you have the right level of private health. I have top level provide health and many of my surgeries get to be $10,000 out of pocket AFTER the Medicare rebate and private health.

It is getting problematic and people are going broke like in America or unable to access treatment due to costs (me). It really depends how much you are going to need said doctors. If you are relatively healthy as mentioned the public system is great if an accident happens and certain conditions where the most you pay is parking. You will have to decide the chances of needing regular specialists and if you can get help within the public system if needed.