Federal Budget 2023: Bulk billing increase at GPs for 12 million Australians
Nearly 12 million Australians should find it easier to get free doctor visits under a Medicare push designed to convince GPs to bulk bill their patients.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has pledged the “biggest-ever increase” in bulk billing incentives in a bid to make family doctor appointments more affordable and ease pressure on emergency departments across the country.
As the “centrepiece” of its second budget, the Albanian government will spend $3.5 million to significantly increase these incentives to entice more GPs to offer free consultations to eligible patients.
The treasurer made the financial commitment as he addressed Australians from the floor of parliament on Tuesday evening in a speech revealing the Albanian government’s second budget.
Dr. Chalmers said Australian families grappling with the cost-of-living crisis are being forced to make a ‘lose-lose’ choice between getting the medical help they need or paying their bills.
Nearly 12 million Australians should find it easier to get free doctor visits under a Medicare push designed to convince GPs to bulk bill their patients. The photo shows a doctor talking to a patient
“This robs parents of peace of mind; it puts pressure on families,” he said.
“It means more problems go undiagnosed or untreated.”
The increased incentives will be paid to GPs who bulk bill 11.6 million eligible Australians, including children under 16, pensioners and other concession card holders.
GPs can claim the higher incentives for face-to-face consultations longer than six minutes and certain telehealth consultations.
Bulk billing is when a doctor accepts a Medicare rebate from the federal government as full payment for a consultation and does not charge patients an additional “gap” fee for the service.
Family physicians who bulk bill patients in the city will receive a new $20.65 incentive compared to the old $6.60 rate.
Regional GPs receive an incentive of $31.40, an increase of $10.05.
In the most remote parts of Australia, the incentive will more than double from $12.70 to $39.65.
An increase in the bulk billing incentive was a key demand from the Royal College of General Practitioners, one of two requests agreed to by the government in this federal budget.
As the “centrepiece” of its second budget, the Albanian government will spend $3.5 million to significantly increase these incentives to entice more GPs to offer free consultations to eligible patients. The photo shows a doctor talking to a patient
The RACGP was also successful in advocating a Medicare rebate for primary care physician consultations longer than 60 minutes, higher than the previous 40-minute limit.
But Tuesday’s budget includes only a modest increase in Medicare rebates, despite long-running demands from doctors for a substantial increase to keep pace with inflation.
The RACGP has argued that the rebates that GPs receive from the federal government for their services are so low that in many cases it is simply not possible to bulk bill patients.
Even Australians who usually pay for their GP appointments out of pocket may have noticed that costs have risen as they are charged higher costs as the cost of living continues to bite.
Tuesday’s budget includes $5.7 billion over five years as an initial investment to provide patients with better access and more affordable care in response to the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report.
The report came last year in response to an investigation by a government-appointed expert group into the faltering Medicare system and the problems in general practice.
Dr. Chalmers said on Tuesday evening that too many people are finding it “increasingly difficult” to see a doctor, noting that the costs were too high, the waiting times too long and the consultation too short.
“One of the things that has made Australia the best country in the world is our shared belief that every Australian should have access to affordable, reliable healthcare,” he said.
He also pledged $358.5 million over five years to provide eight more urgent care clinics, which Labor says will make it easier to get to a primary care physician and ease pressure on hospitals.
The additional Medicare funding comes as the budget is expected to record a small surplus of $4 billion this fiscal year.
If the Treasury forecast is correct, it will be the first time in 15 years that the books have balanced.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers (pictured) said Tuesday evening that too many people are finding it ‘increasingly difficult’ to see a doctor
But the return to a surplus will not be long in coming as the budget is expected to plunge back into a deficit over the next four years.
Australia’s temporary return to a balanced budget is largely due to rising commodity prices due to the war in Ukraine and a strong domestic labor market.
Budget papers confirm that the government has increased its projected tax revenue in fiscal year 2023-2024 by $67.2 billion than forecast in October.
The return to deficits will be largely due to structural pressures caused by spending on massive public services such as national disability insurance, defense and health.