Newly released Medicare statistics have revealed that bulk-billing rates have fallen to their lowest levels since 2010-11 as the gap between Medicare rebates fail to keep pace with inflation.
The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACPG) has warned bulk billing will continue to fall, causing many patients to avoid seeking the necessary care, unless governments boost investment in general practice.
Geelong GP and RACGP spokesperson Dr Bernard Shiu said that clinics were having to make difficult decisions given the financial pressures general practices were experiencing.
“There’s a big difference between the rebate of about $39.75 and the $86-89 the AMA recommends for our fees,” Dr Shiu said.
“I’ve been helping a lot of clinics in the Geelong region and around Victoria transition from bulk billing to mixed billing, and that means choosing particular patient groups to bulk bill while charging others.
“For example, in my clinics I bulk bill all kids under 16 years old with no questions asked. We don’t want parents to have to worry about whether they pay for food or healthcare for their kids.
“We also bulk bill veterans because we want to pay respect for what they’ve sacrificed for our country.”
Last year the Medicare rebate increased by 1.6 per cent, a real increase of around 65 cents per visit, while inflation went up by 14 per cent, driving up costs for clinics significantly.
Dr Shiu said clinics had begun to close under the financial pressure, and the situation would only worsen if nothing changed.
“The rebate is not our salary, it’s the patient’s money; we’re fighting for the patients,” Dr Shiu said.
“You don’t see GPs driving Ferraris, we’re just trying to help patients get the healthcare they need. But without the government doing their part, patients will suffer.
“And then what happens is, they don’t see a GP but end up in the hospital, which costs taxpayers even more. One visit to emergency is anywhere from $500-$800, when they could have come to see us for $86.
“Clinics like Tristar completely collapsed because of their bulk billing model, and when they collapse patients suffer.”
Dr Shiu said people needed to help the GPs fight for their health by contacting their local government representatives.
“We need people to fight together with us for their rebate,” he said.
“Talk to the MPs; talk to Libby Coker, Christine Couzens. Talk to Richard Marles, he’s just down the road. Ask them why their rebate is not going up, why patient’s rebates are not keeping up with inflation.”
