The federal government is being urged to raise the Medicate rebate by 10 per cent amid reports an increasing number of GPs are ditching bulk billing.
A HealthEd survey of 500 GPs found 22 per cent had changed their billing model, leaving patients to face higher out of pocket costs to see a GP.
Hoppers Crossing resident Tulsi Patel said she had found it difficult to find a doctor that bulk bills after her regular GP shifted to private billing.
“Some clinics are not accepting new patients, some are difficult to get appointments with now, most likely because everyone is trying to find a doctor that bulk bills,” she said.
“We are paying a Medicare levy, a Medicare surcharge, have private health insurance and paying very high taxes.
“Despite all of that we are having to pay out of pocket for basic GP visits and when you consider all costs rising as a result of inflation and salaries not increasing at the same rate, it is hard to keep up.”
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) president, adjunct professor Karen Price, said medicare patient rebates for GP consultations hadn’t kept pace with the cost of providing high-quality care.
“General practice is up against it, and unless government boosts investment in GP care, more and more practices will be forced to pass the cost on to patients,” she said.
“That is not a decision taken lightly and no one relishes the thought of asking their patients to pay more, particularly those struggling to make ends meet at a time of increased grocery and fuel costs just to name a few.
“But practices have no other choice because their own costs are rising, and Medicare rebates simply haven’t kept pace with the cost of providing high-quality care. Our hands are tied, we need help desperately.
“We are calling for a 10 per cent increase to Medicare rebates for consultations lasting 20 to 40 minutes and 40 minutes plus as well as a new Medicare item for consults lasting more than hour.”
Health minister Mark Butler said primary care was in its worst shape since medicare began.
“Across the country we hear stories of Australians not being able to get in to see a bulk billing doctor or GPs changing from bulk billing to mixed billing,” he said.
“The reality is after nine years of cuts and neglect from the former government it’s never been harder or more expensive for Australians to see a GP.”
