Prices on everyday essentials have been on the rise for quite some time, from regular household groceries to gas and electricity bills.

Unfortunately, the costs don’t stop there as Australians brace for yet another price hike—this time on doctor's fees.

Starting in November, a standard non-bulk billed general practitioner (GP) appointment will rise to $102. This comes after the Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommended that fees increase to $90 in March and $98 in July.

According to the AMA, this increase resulted from the rising practice costs of the doctors.

GP fees are expected to rise to $102 in November. Credit: Kampus Production/Pexels

Meanwhile, the Medicare rebate is only going up by 20 cents, which won't do much to help reduce the appointment cost.

As AMA New South Wales President Dr Michael Bonning explained, 'The patient rebate hasn't kept pace with inflation over a long period of time.'

Fortunately, the cost of GP appointments for people who are vulnerable, such as pensioners, welfare recipients, and children under 16, will not change.

On top of that, the federal government has also introduced a new tripling of the bulk-billing incentives for doctors treating vulnerable cohorts starting 1 November—a move that should benefit over 11.6 million people.

The rebates on city-based practices will increase to $20.65 instead of $6.85 for a standard consult. An increase to $39.65 instead of $13.15 is also expected for remote-based practices.

Another option that people might want to look into is the MyMedicare scheme, which allows patients to register with their preferred doctor's clinic, receive rebates on telehealth appointments with them, and also gradually access more benefits over the next three years.

Registration for MyMedicare is free and voluntary. For those who registered, patients will have ‘greater continuity of care’ with their ‘registered practice’.

However, it is worth noting that patients not registered in Medicare will still have the same quality of care from their healthcare providers.

If you’re interested in setting up a MyMedicare account, you may follow the instructions below:

​

Members, money matters such as doctor's fees keep rising—so make sure you're ready for it. We highly suggest you shop around for the best prices or avail of government aid, where and when necessary.

Key Takeaways

• The fee for a standard GP consultation in Australia is due to increase to $102 in November, as suggested by the Australian Medical Association (AMA).
  
• This increase follows previously recommended fee hikes in March and July, as the AMA suggests doctors lift their prices to combat rising practice costs.
  
• The federal government will triple the bulk-billing incentives for doctors treating vulnerable patients, such as pensioners, welfare recipients and children under 16, from 1 November.
  
• The government introduced MyMedicare, a new scheme allowing patients to formally register their preferred doctor’s clinic and GP and receive rebates on the cost of a telehealth appointment with that doctor.
  

What do you think of this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

[JenV]

Prices on everyday essentials have been on the rise for quite some time, from regular household groceries to gas and electricity bills.

Unfortunately, the costs don’t stop there as Australians brace for yet another price hike—this time on doctor's fees.

Starting in November, a standard non-bulk billed general practitioner (GP) appointment will rise to $102. This comes after the Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommended that fees increase to $90 in March and $98 in July.

According to the AMA, this increase resulted from the rising practice costs of the doctors.

View attachment 32798

GP fees are expected to rise to $102 in November. Credit: Kampus Production/Pexels

Meanwhile, the Medicare rebate is only going up by 20 cents, which won't do much to help reduce the appointment cost.

As AMA New South Wales President Dr Michael Bonning explained, 'The patient rebate hasn't kept pace with inflation over a long period of time.'

Fortunately, the cost of GP appointments for people who are vulnerable, such as pensioners, welfare recipients, and children under 16, will not change.

On top of that, the federal government has also introduced a new tripling of the bulk-billing incentives for doctors treating vulnerable cohorts starting 1 November—a move that should benefit over 11.6 million people.

The rebates on city-based practices will increase to $20.65 instead of $6.85 for a standard consult. An increase to $39.65 instead of $13.15 is also expected for remote-based practices.

Another option that people might want to look into is the MyMedicare scheme, which allows patients to register with their preferred doctor's clinic, receive rebates on telehealth appointments with them, and also gradually access more benefits over the next three years.

Registration for MyMedicare is free and voluntary. For those who registered, patients will have ‘greater continuity of care’ with their ‘registered practice’.

However, it is worth noting that patients not registered in Medicare will still have the same quality of care from their healthcare providers.

If you’re interested in setting up a MyMedicare account, you may follow the instructions below:

​

Members, money matters such as doctor's fees keep rising—so make sure you're ready for it. We highly suggest you shop around for the best prices or avail of government aid, where and when necessary.

Key Takeaways

• The fee for a standard GP consultation in Australia is due to increase to $102 in November, as suggested by the Australian Medical Association (AMA).
• This increase follows previously recommended fee hikes in March and July, as the AMA suggests doctors lift their prices to combat rising practice costs.
• The federal government will triple the bulk-billing incentives for doctors treating vulnerable patients, such as pensioners, welfare recipients and children under 16, from 1 November.
• The government introduced MyMedicare, a new scheme allowing patients to formally register their preferred doctor’s clinic and GP and receive rebates on the cost of a telehealth appointment with that doctor.

What do you think of this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Hmmm, our son has a medical condition, age 41, plus 2 kids under 5 and already financial stress .He sees his GP twice a week. How will this work for adults who are not receiving benefits?

 

[Janet Ball]

Prices on everyday essentials have been on the rise for quite some time, from regular household groceries to gas and electricity bills.

Unfortunately, the costs don’t stop there as Australians brace for yet another price hike—this time on doctor's fees.

Starting in November, a standard non-bulk billed general practitioner (GP) appointment will rise to $102. This comes after the Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommended that fees increase to $90 in March and $98 in July.

According to the AMA, this increase resulted from the rising practice costs of the doctors.

View attachment 32798

GP fees are expected to rise to $102 in November. Credit: Kampus Production/Pexels

Meanwhile, the Medicare rebate is only going up by 20 cents, which won't do much to help reduce the appointment cost.

As AMA New South Wales President Dr Michael Bonning explained, 'The patient rebate hasn't kept pace with inflation over a long period of time.'

Fortunately, the cost of GP appointments for people who are vulnerable, such as pensioners, welfare recipients, and children under 16, will not change.

On top of that, the federal government has also introduced a new tripling of the bulk-billing incentives for doctors treating vulnerable cohorts starting 1 November—a move that should benefit over 11.6 million people.

The rebates on city-based practices will increase to $20.65 instead of $6.85 for a standard consult. An increase to $39.65 instead of $13.15 is also expected for remote-based practices.

Another option that people might want to look into is the MyMedicare scheme, which allows patients to register with their preferred doctor's clinic, receive rebates on telehealth appointments with them, and also gradually access more benefits over the next three years.

Registration for MyMedicare is free and voluntary. For those who registered, patients will have ‘greater continuity of care’ with their ‘registered practice’.

However, it is worth noting that patients not registered in Medicare will still have the same quality of care from their healthcare providers.

If you’re interested in setting up a MyMedicare account, you may follow the instructions below:

​

Members, money matters such as doctor's fees keep rising—so make sure you're ready for it. We highly suggest you shop around for the best prices or avail of government aid, where and when necessary.

Key Takeaways

• The fee for a standard GP consultation in Australia is due to increase to $102 in November, as suggested by the Australian Medical Association (AMA).
• This increase follows previously recommended fee hikes in March and July, as the AMA suggests doctors lift their prices to combat rising practice costs.
• The federal government will triple the bulk-billing incentives for doctors treating vulnerable patients, such as pensioners, welfare recipients and children under 16, from 1 November.
• The government introduced MyMedicare, a new scheme allowing patients to formally register their preferred doctor’s clinic and GP and receive rebates on the cost of a telehealth appointment with that doctor.

What do you think of this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

[Penny4]

The Medicare rebate hasn't increased for patients. My GP practice is raising their fees too. It's a lot of money for a GP imo. $102 for 15 minutes' consultation equates to $408/hour.

 

[Rob44]

Hmmm, our son has a medical condition, age 41, plus 2 kids under 5 and already financial stress .He sees his GP twice a week. How will this work for adults who are not receiving benefits?

Most doctors could't care less.

 

[scouserdog]

Doctors in Canberra have been charging over $100 for some time and it makes no difference if you are an old age pensioner.

 

[Les Brett]

Yes, Medicare and the Government have a lot to answer for. Yes, my doctor charges a co-payment, but only for patients that come in on Saturday and Sunday and only to cover the penalty rates for weekend employees. I feel anybody that can get to a Doctor Monday to Friday should be bulk billed. As a self-funded retiree, I also feel financial pressures. I am at the lower end of the income scale. We pay a Medicare levy when we pay tax. Fixed income, no concession cards, yet deemed by Centrelink as too wealthy. The government gives us cheaper medication (2 months for the price of 1 on some medications) then take it all back by not increasing the Medicare rebate for doctors. Yes, our medical system needs an overhaul , but I feel the Doctors shouldn't feel they need to be seen as the bad ones. Please email or contact your local member of Parliament if you have any suggestions on how to fix this, obviously our leaders don't.

 

[Ellev]

Why are only welfare recipients etc classed as vulnerable. There is a cut off line for a healthcare card which yes it has to have a cut off at some point, but someone earning a low wage or casual workers etc who are not eligible for it will miss out on care. It's bad enough our dental industry is leaving thousands of people suffering in pain . The hospital system will be even more overloaded now.

 

[Ellev]

The Medicare rebate hasn't increased for patients. My GP practice is raising their fees too. It's a lot of money for a GP imo. $102 for 15 minutes' consultation equates to $408/hour.

If that's how it works, that equals $15,504 for a 38 hr week. Multiply that by 52 weeks equals $806,208 per year. It would take me 18 years to earn that!. So how can it be seen to be affordable .

 

[Penny4]

If that's how it works, that equals $15,504 for a 38 hr week. Multiply that by 52 weeks equals $806,208 per year. It would take me 18 years to earn that!. So how can it be seen to be affordable .

Plus, employees haven't had a rise, so GP's probably won't increase their staff's wages.

 

[Cyberchook]

If that's how it works, that equals $15,504 for a 38 hr week. Multiply that by 52 weeks equals $806,208 per year. It would take me 18 years to earn that!. So how can it be seen to be affordable .

Many doctors now work in Medical centres owned by others ( not always owned by other medics)who charge the GPs to rent a consultation room and their income is also under a 'regulated' ( Gov. controlled?) payment scheme. Most of the equipment, staffing, reception, premises rents, and running costs all add up.

 

[Penny4]

Many doctors now work in Medical centres owned by others ( not always owned by other medics)who charge the GPs to rent a consultation room and their income is also under a 'regulated' ( Gov. controlled?) payment scheme. Most of the equipment, staffing, reception, premises rents, and running costs all add up.

Don't think anyone is disagreeing with that.

 

[NotNats]

Prices on everyday essentials have been on the rise for quite some time, from regular household groceries to gas and electricity bills.

Unfortunately, the costs don’t stop there as Australians brace for yet another price hike—this time on doctor's fees.

Starting in November, a standard non-bulk billed general practitioner (GP) appointment will rise to $102. This comes after the Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommended that fees increase to $90 in March and $98 in July.

According to the AMA, this increase resulted from the rising practice costs of the doctors.

View attachment 32798

GP fees are expected to rise to $102 in November. Credit: Kampus Production/Pexels

Meanwhile, the Medicare rebate is only going up by 20 cents, which won't do much to help reduce the appointment cost.

As AMA New South Wales President Dr Michael Bonning explained, 'The patient rebate hasn't kept pace with inflation over a long period of time.'

Fortunately, the cost of GP appointments for people who are vulnerable, such as pensioners, welfare recipients, and children under 16, will not change.

On top of that, the federal government has also introduced a new tripling of the bulk-billing incentives for doctors treating vulnerable cohorts starting 1 November—a move that should benefit over 11.6 million people.

The rebates on city-based practices will increase to $20.65 instead of $6.85 for a standard consult. An increase to $39.65 instead of $13.15 is also expected for remote-based practices.

Another option that people might want to look into is the MyMedicare scheme, which allows patients to register with their preferred doctor's clinic, receive rebates on telehealth appointments with them, and also gradually access more benefits over the next three years.

Registration for MyMedicare is free and voluntary. For those who registered, patients will have ‘greater continuity of care’ with their ‘registered practice’.

However, it is worth noting that patients not registered in Medicare will still have the same quality of care from their healthcare providers.

If you’re interested in setting up a MyMedicare account, you may follow the instructions below:

​

Members, money matters such as doctor's fees keep rising—so make sure you're ready for it. We highly suggest you shop around for the best prices or avail of government aid, where and when necessary.

Key Takeaways

• The fee for a standard GP consultation in Australia is due to increase to $102 in November, as suggested by the Australian Medical Association (AMA).
• This increase follows previously recommended fee hikes in March and July, as the AMA suggests doctors lift their prices to combat rising practice costs.
• The federal government will triple the bulk-billing incentives for doctors treating vulnerable patients, such as pensioners, welfare recipients and children under 16, from 1 November.
• The government introduced MyMedicare, a new scheme allowing patients to formally register their preferred doctor’s clinic and GP and receive rebates on the cost of a telehealth appointment with that doctor.

What do you think of this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

And people wonder why I've basically stopped going to any Dr's even though I have several server medical problems. Now a days I only gong when I have run out of scripts. But this in turn has a double blade affect - my Dr's think I'm getting better and even they no longer ask question of how I'm going. In and out within 5min's.