New research from healthcare directory Cleanbill has revealed the average cost of an initial consultation with a dermatologist is currently $296.71, while the Medicare rebate for this service is only $84.15. 

This means the average cost of an initial consultation sits at almost four times the Medicare rebate provided for the service.

It comes amidst figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare showing Medicare now covers the smallest proportion of specialist costs in its history.

Luke Grant chats with Cleanbill founder James Gillespie about why seeing the dermatologist is now more expensive than ever and how you can find the locations of the cheapest clinics.