Senator David Pocock calls out the $24million taxpayer funded doctor comparison website that only 20 doctors are using
An ACT senator has called the taxpayer-funded $24 million doctor comparison website using just 20 doctors a “huge waste”.
The Medical Cost Finder was launched in 2019 as a platform for people to compare the out-of-pocket costs doctors charge for specialist procedures so they could find the best deal.
However, only 20 of the 36,000 specialists nationwide have declared their fees for the listing.
Senator David Pocock fears the website is just another waste of scarce taxpayer resources, asking Department of Health officials whether the website has cost “more than $1 million per doctor.”
“How does that help people shop around when there are 20 doctors paying their fees?” he said.
“With so little doctor’s fees on the website, it’s hard to see how it in any way helps people shop for surgery or increase competition in the healthcare marketplace.”
Senator Pocock fears the Medical Cost Finder is once again a ‘huge waste of taxpayers’ money’
According to the Sydney Morning HeraldThe findings of a budget estimates hearing prompted Private Healthcare Australia to call on the government to force the publication of doctors’ private fees.
Rachel David, the chief executive of the peak body for insurers, said it is time for the government to intervene as out-of-pocket medical costs skyrocket.
Department officials told Mr Pocock that the website allowed people to compare fees and avoid paying more than necessary for procedures.
Under questioning, department secretary Brian Kelleher admitted that only 20 doctors across Australia had disclosed their fees on the site, although 112 had registered to do so.
The website is designed as a platform for people to compare the out-of-pocket costs doctors charge for specialist procedures so they can find the best deal
He said the website listed 1,300 medical items, but only 150 of them had a corresponding reimbursement.
Since its launch in 2019, more than $24.2 million has been spent on the site, which equates to more than $1 million per physician who disclosed their fees.
“It could be that the vast majority of people who visit are bitterly disappointed,” Mr Pocock said.
Ms David said more transparency is needed to protect consumers with private health insurance from a bill shock, as health funds cannot continue to chase doctors’ rising out-of-pocket costs.
Steve Robson, president of the Australian Medical Association, has uploaded his fees to the medical cost finder and is encouraging other doctors to take part.
He said physicians know how important fee transparency and informed financial consent are to their patients. One of the ways doctors can support their patients is by posting their fees on the site in less than five minutes.