GPs welcome bulk billing boost for vulnerable patients

Shutterstock_1992001796
The average cost to the Government for a non-admitted emergency department presentation in 2020-21 was $611, yet it costs the government just $79.70 to support a patient to spend 20–40 minutes with their GP. [Shutterstock]

From November 1, a tripled bulk billing incentive began, said to help slow the decline in bulk billing for vulnerable patients and relieve pressure on hospitals, according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

The bulk billing incentive is a payment paid on top of the Medicare patient rebate for a GP consultation, and increases with the rurality of a practice.

The Federal Government announced a tripled bulk billing incentive from 1 November in the May 2023 Federal Budget for general attendance consultations.

The Veteran Access Payment has also been tripled as of 1 November for all face-to-face consults longer than six minutes, all telephone and video consults from 6–20 minutes, and longer telehealth GP consults where a patient is registered through MyMedicare. This will support GPs to deliver care for veterans who hold a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold or White Card.

Veterans can often have complex health needs, making access to high-quality and ongoing GP care essential but reports from earlier this year indicated that practices in high-cost areas could no longer afford to bulk bill all veterans.

These bulk billing changes are crucial for our hospitals. If people delay care due to costs, health issues can compound, place more physical and financial strain on our hospitals and cost more for the health system to address.

RACGP President Doctor Nicole Higgins welcomed the increases.

“The tripling of bulk billing incentives for standard consultations is a critical stopgap to slow the decline in bulk billing,” she said.

“Bulk billing has declined significantly in recent years because Medicare rebates have been below inflation for years, and are nowhere near the cost of care. GPs have been subsidising the full cost of care every time they bulk bill their patients.

“When people can see their GP when they need to, rather than when they can afford to, they are less likely to present at hospital emergency departments. You should be able to see a GP when you need to.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Making Dreams Come True Is What Real Care Is All About

There is a well-documented connection between music and a person’s mood that goes way beyond the realms of simple entertainment. Whether it’s the haunting wail of a seasoned blues guitarist evoking a lifetime worth of heartbreak, or the uptempo sing-song appeal of an iconic pop-music single, there will always be a particular style or song... Read More

Nursing homes to be rated on My Aged Care from 1 July

Australia will have a new rating system for residential aged care services from 1 July 2020. The ‘compliance rating’ will be published on the My Aged Care website with the aim of making it easier for families and older Australians to assess the quality of an aged care provider, and to make it easier to... Read More

Innovative thinking in aged care can provide good outcomes, royal commission hears

On the fifth day of the Sydney hearing, the royal commission heard from a panel of aged care executives who shared their experiences and suggestions for ways to provide high-quality care. The panel consisted of executives from three of Australia’s most progressive and innovative aged care providers: Group Homes Australia, Brightwater Care Group, and Glenview.... Read More
Advertisement