Modern conveniences help make life easier. However, when it comes to medicine, many would still prefer it if it remained affordable.

Luckily, amid the cost-of-living crisis, it looks like this wish has a chance to be granted.

The Australian Government has announced the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare, making it easier for more than 11 million Aussies to see a bulk-billing doctor.

Since July, the incentive for general practitioners to bulk bill children (aged 16 and under), pensioners, and other Commonwealth concession card holders for most common GP consults has tripled.

The Australian Government has increased investments in Medicare and made it easy to see a bulk-billing doctor! Image: Pexels

This benefit now applies to around 5 million children and their families and 7 million pensioners and concession cardholders, who together account for around 3 out of 5 visits to the GP.

On top of that, a hefty $1.5 billion indexation boost to Medicare payments also took effect in November, making it the biggest increase to Medicare payments since former Prime Minister Paul Keating was in office.

Aiming to give both patients and GPs more benefits from bulk billing, this massive bump in incentive payments means that in major cities, doctors will get 34 per cent more for a standard bulk-billed consultation of under 20 minutes (a Level B consultation), taking the Medicare payment for eligible patients to $62.05.

In rural parts of Australia, doctors will get around 50 per cent more for the same visit, taking the Medicare payment to between $72.80 and $81.10, depending on the exact location.

A new Medicare rebate for GP consultations of 60 minutes or longer also took effect in November, giving patients a rebate of $191.20 and doctors to provide better care for patients with complex conditions.

More personalised Medicare will be built through MyMedicare.

Since voluntary registration for MyMedicare opened in October, more than 150,000 people have already signed up to enjoy longer telehealth consultations.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said of this massive investment: 'We’re delivering the biggest investment in Medicare in over 40 years, with more incentives for bulk billing and 58 new Urgent Care clinics across Australia.'

'These changes to the Medicare bulk billing incentive will make it easier and cheaper for more than 11 million Australians to visit a doctor.’

‘Combined with our cheaper medicines policy, electricity bill relief, cheaper child care and increased rent assistance, we’re continuing to deliver targeted cost of living relief without adding to inflation.’

Health Minister Mark Butler went on to add: 'The tripling of the bulk billing incentive will help over 5 million children and their families, and more than 7 million pensioners and concession card holders to see a bulk billed GP.’

‘Doctors’ groups have called this a ‘game-changer’, and GPs right around the country have said this will help them maintain and even shift back to bulk billing.’

He added: ‘Peter Dutton froze the Medicare rebate when he was Health Minister 10 years ago—a freeze that remained in place for six long years and led to a very substantial decline in bulk billing in general practice.’

‘Bulk billing is the beating heart of Medicare, and Labor will always strengthen it.’

Key Takeaways

• The Albanese Government has implemented the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare, aiming to aid over 11 million Australians.
• The incentive for GPs to bulk bill children under 16, pensioners and other concession cardholders has been tripled for the most common consultations.
• A new Medicare rebate for GP consultations of 60 minutes or longer also begins today, paying patients a rebate of $191.20 and providing doctors with additional time to care for patients with complex conditions.
• The investment and reform have been praised by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Health Minister Mark Butler as momentous and game-changing, aiming to strengthen the accessibility and quality of Medicare.

What do you think of this Medicare investment by the government? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[MaryRose71]

Modern conveniences help make life easier. However, when it comes to medicine, many would still prefer it if it remained affordable.

Luckily, amid the cost-of-living crisis, it looks like this wish has a chance to be granted.

The Australian Government has announced the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare, making it easier for more than 11 million Aussies to see a bulk-billing doctor.

Since July, the incentive for general practitioners to bulk bill children (aged 16 and under), pensioners, and other Commonwealth concession card holders for most common GP consults has tripled.

View attachment 37292

The Australian Government has increased investments in Medicare and made it easy to see a bulk-billing doctor! Image: Pexels

This benefit now applies to around 5 million children and their families and 7 million pensioners and concession cardholders, who together account for around 3 out of 5 visits to the GP.

On top of that, a hefty $1.5 billion indexation boost to Medicare payments also took effect in November, making it the biggest increase to Medicare payments since former Prime Minister Paul Keating was in office.

Aiming to give both patients and GPs more benefits from bulk billing, this massive bump in incentive payments means that in major cities, doctors will get 34 per cent more for a standard bulk-billed consultation of under 20 minutes (a Level B consultation), taking the Medicare payment for eligible patients to $62.05.

In rural parts of Australia, doctors will get around 50 per cent more for the same visit, taking the Medicare payment to between $72.80 and $81.10, depending on the exact location.

A new Medicare rebate for GP consultations of 60 minutes or longer also took effect in November, giving patients a rebate of $191.20 and doctors to provide better care for patients with complex conditions.

More personalised Medicare will be built through MyMedicare.

Since voluntary registration for MyMedicare opened in October, more than 150,000 people have already signed up to enjoy longer telehealth consultations.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said of this massive investment: 'We’re delivering the biggest investment in Medicare in over 40 years, with more incentives for bulk billing and 58 new Urgent Care clinics across Australia.'

'These changes to the Medicare bulk billing incentive will make it easier and cheaper for more than 11 million Australians to visit a doctor.’

‘Combined with our cheaper medicines policy, electricity bill relief, cheaper child care and increased rent assistance, we’re continuing to deliver targeted cost of living relief without adding to inflation.’

Health Minister Mark Butler went on to add: 'The tripling of the bulk billing incentive will help over 5 million children and their families, and more than 7 million pensioners and concession card holders to see a bulk billed GP.’

‘Doctors’ groups have called this a ‘game-changer’, and GPs right around the country have said this will help them maintain and even shift back to bulk billing.’

He added: ‘Peter Dutton froze the Medicare rebate when he was Health Minister 10 years ago—a freeze that remained in place for six long years and led to a very substantial decline in bulk billing in general practice.’

‘Bulk billing is the beating heart of Medicare, and Labor will always strengthen it.’

Key Takeaways

• The Albanese Government has implemented the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare, aiming to aid over 11 million Australians.
• The incentive for GPs to bulk bill children under 16, pensioners and other concession cardholders has been tripled for the most common consultations.
• A new Medicare rebate for GP consultations of 60 minutes or longer also begins today, paying patients a rebate of $191.20 and providing doctors with additional time to care for patients with complex conditions.
• The investment and reform have been praised by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Health Minister Mark Butler as momentous and game-changing, aiming to strengthen the accessibility and quality of Medicare.

What do you think of this Medicare investment by the government? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[MaryRose71]

When is the incentive being paid to GPs I worked on General Practice and know how the lack of increases to the Medicare rebate have drastically reduced the amount of money GPs have received I hope this new incentive is already being paid
As for the new 2 for 1 medicines on a script The Government have always had a threshold, that once reached in a calendar year, medicine's are free for the remainder of that calendar year This new 2 for one script will prevent people from reaching this threshold and thus is a useless piece of so called help Unless this threshold is reduced everybody will be no better off Also this means that people will visit GPs less so reduces the money GPs make from patients as they visit less often so the incentive for HPs to bulk bill is lost So much for helping with the cost of living Rant over

 

[Shane/#]

Modern conveniences help make life easier. However, when it comes to medicine, many would still prefer it if it remained affordable.

Luckily, amid the cost-of-living crisis, it looks like this wish has a chance to be granted.

The Australian Government has announced the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare, making it easier for more than 11 million Aussies to see a bulk-billing doctor.

Since July, the incentive for general practitioners to bulk bill children (aged 16 and under), pensioners, and other Commonwealth concession card holders for most common GP consults has tripled.

View attachment 37292

The Australian Government has increased investments in Medicare and made it easy to see a bulk-billing doctor! Image: Pexels

This benefit now applies to around 5 million children and their families and 7 million pensioners and concession cardholders, who together account for around 3 out of 5 visits to the GP.

On top of that, a hefty $1.5 billion indexation boost to Medicare payments also took effect in November, making it the biggest increase to Medicare payments since former Prime Minister Paul Keating was in office.

Aiming to give both patients and GPs more benefits from bulk billing, this massive bump in incentive payments means that in major cities, doctors will get 34 per cent more for a standard bulk-billed consultation of under 20 minutes (a Level B consultation), taking the Medicare payment for eligible patients to $62.05.

In rural parts of Australia, doctors will get around 50 per cent more for the same visit, taking the Medicare payment to between $72.80 and $81.10, depending on the exact location.

A new Medicare rebate for GP consultations of 60 minutes or longer also took effect in November, giving patients a rebate of $191.20 and doctors to provide better care for patients with complex conditions.

More personalised Medicare will be built through MyMedicare.

Since voluntary registration for MyMedicare opened in October, more than 150,000 people have already signed up to enjoy longer telehealth consultations.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said of this massive investment: 'We’re delivering the biggest investment in Medicare in over 40 years, with more incentives for bulk billing and 58 new Urgent Care clinics across Australia.'

'These changes to the Medicare bulk billing incentive will make it easier and cheaper for more than 11 million Australians to visit a doctor.’

‘Combined with our cheaper medicines policy, electricity bill relief, cheaper child care and increased rent assistance, we’re continuing to deliver targeted cost of living relief without adding to inflation.’

Health Minister Mark Butler went on to add: 'The tripling of the bulk billing incentive will help over 5 million children and their families, and more than 7 million pensioners and concession card holders to see a bulk billed GP.’

‘Doctors’ groups have called this a ‘game-changer’, and GPs right around the country have said this will help them maintain and even shift back to bulk billing.’

He added: ‘Peter Dutton froze the Medicare rebate when he was Health Minister 10 years ago—a freeze that remained in place for six long years and led to a very substantial decline in bulk billing in general practice.’

‘Bulk billing is the beating heart of Medicare, and Labor will always strengthen it.’

Key Takeaways

• The Albanese Government has implemented the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare, aiming to aid over 11 million Australians.
• The incentive for GPs to bulk bill children under 16, pensioners and other concession cardholders has been tripled for the most common consultations.
• A new Medicare rebate for GP consultations of 60 minutes or longer also begins today, paying patients a rebate of $191.20 and providing doctors with additional time to care for patients with complex conditions.
• The investment and reform have been praised by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Health Minister Mark Butler as momentous and game-changing, aiming to strengthen the accessibility and quality of Medicare.

What do you think of this Medicare investment by the government? Let us know in the comments below!

Nothing new with the Liberal government of the day freezing Medicare bulk billing they have always out sourced health to private companies so people have to pay same as schools less to public schools and more to private schools they were trying to get the American system in so everyone pays otherwise you get sub standard health and schooling they are the parasites of the working class always looking after the rich and multinational companies get to see Labor get this back on track after years of neglect from the Liberal maggots

 

[Luckyus]

When is the incentive being paid to GPs I worked on General Practice and know how the lack of increases to the Medicare rebate have drastically reduced the amount of money GPs have received I hope this new incentive is already being paid
As for the new 2 for 1 medicines on a script The Government have always had a threshold, that once reached in a calendar year, medicine's are free for the remainder of that calendar year This new 2 for one script will prevent people from reaching this threshold and thus is a useless piece of so called help Unless this threshold is reduced everybody will be no better off Also this means that people will visit GPs less so reduces the money GPs make from patients as they visit less often so the incentive for HPs to bulk bill is lost So much for helping with the cost of living Rant over

Only strengthens the belief that governments will always find ways of stopping the citizen from getting any form of financial relief, essentially not much difference between them and an arsehole, just more rancid?.

 

[KiwiTrish]

Modern conveniences help make life easier. However, when it comes to medicine, many would still prefer it if it remained affordable.

Luckily, amid the cost-of-living crisis, it looks like this wish has a chance to be granted.

The Australian Government has announced the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare, making it easier for more than 11 million Aussies to see a bulk-billing doctor.

Since July, the incentive for general practitioners to bulk bill children (aged 16 and under), pensioners, and other Commonwealth concession card holders for most common GP consults has tripled.

View attachment 37292

The Australian Government has increased investments in Medicare and made it easy to see a bulk-billing doctor! Image: Pexels

This benefit now applies to around 5 million children and their families and 7 million pensioners and concession cardholders, who together account for around 3 out of 5 visits to the GP.

On top of that, a hefty $1.5 billion indexation boost to Medicare payments also took effect in November, making it the biggest increase to Medicare payments since former Prime Minister Paul Keating was in office.

Aiming to give both patients and GPs more benefits from bulk billing, this massive bump in incentive payments means that in major cities, doctors will get 34 per cent more for a standard bulk-billed consultation of under 20 minutes (a Level B consultation), taking the Medicare payment for eligible patients to $62.05.

In rural parts of Australia, doctors will get around 50 per cent more for the same visit, taking the Medicare payment to between $72.80 and $81.10, depending on the exact location.

A new Medicare rebate for GP consultations of 60 minutes or longer also took effect in November, giving patients a rebate of $191.20 and doctors to provide better care for patients with complex conditions.

More personalised Medicare will be built through MyMedicare.

Since voluntary registration for MyMedicare opened in October, more than 150,000 people have already signed up to enjoy longer telehealth consultations.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said of this massive investment: 'We’re delivering the biggest investment in Medicare in over 40 years, with more incentives for bulk billing and 58 new Urgent Care clinics across Australia.'

'These changes to the Medicare bulk billing incentive will make it easier and cheaper for more than 11 million Australians to visit a doctor.’

‘Combined with our cheaper medicines policy, electricity bill relief, cheaper child care and increased rent assistance, we’re continuing to deliver targeted cost of living relief without adding to inflation.’

Health Minister Mark Butler went on to add: 'The tripling of the bulk billing incentive will help over 5 million children and their families, and more than 7 million pensioners and concession card holders to see a bulk billed GP.’

‘Doctors’ groups have called this a ‘game-changer’, and GPs right around the country have said this will help them maintain and even shift back to bulk billing.’

He added: ‘Peter Dutton froze the Medicare rebate when he was Health Minister 10 years ago—a freeze that remained in place for six long years and led to a very substantial decline in bulk billing in general practice.’

‘Bulk billing is the beating heart of Medicare, and Labor will always strengthen it.’

Key Takeaways

• The Albanese Government has implemented the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare, aiming to aid over 11 million Australians.
• The incentive for GPs to bulk bill children under 16, pensioners and other concession cardholders has been tripled for the most common consultations.
• A new Medicare rebate for GP consultations of 60 minutes or longer also begins today, paying patients a rebate of $191.20 and providing doctors with additional time to care for patients with complex conditions.
• The investment and reform have been praised by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Health Minister Mark Butler as momentous and game-changing, aiming to strengthen the accessibility and quality of Medicare.

What do you think of this Medicare investment by the government? Let us know in the comments below!

About time it hasn’t kept up with inflation and now it’s just a big mess, same with private insurance all you get is a private hospital bed ad a bill, mine $6200 out of pocket Medicare and private insurance which I’ve held for over 40 years and never had an overnight stay in hospital only contributing $3200 between them so guess I can see why people have dropped it.going like the USA now only the rich can afford health care

 

[Blob]

Modern conveniences help make life easier. However, when it comes to medicine, many would still prefer it if it remained affordable.

Luckily, amid the cost-of-living crisis, it looks like this wish has a chance to be granted.

The Australian Government has announced the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare, making it easier for more than 11 million Aussies to see a bulk-billing doctor.

Since July, the incentive for general practitioners to bulk bill children (aged 16 and under), pensioners, and other Commonwealth concession card holders for most common GP consults has tripled.

View attachment 37292

The Australian Government has increased investments in Medicare and made it easy to see a bulk-billing doctor! Image: Pexels

This benefit now applies to around 5 million children and their families and 7 million pensioners and concession cardholders, who together account for around 3 out of 5 visits to the GP.

On top of that, a hefty $1.5 billion indexation boost to Medicare payments also took effect in November, making it the biggest increase to Medicare payments since former Prime Minister Paul Keating was in office.

Aiming to give both patients and GPs more benefits from bulk billing, this massive bump in incentive payments means that in major cities, doctors will get 34 per cent more for a standard bulk-billed consultation of under 20 minutes (a Level B consultation), taking the Medicare payment for eligible patients to $62.05.

In rural parts of Australia, doctors will get around 50 per cent more for the same visit, taking the Medicare payment to between $72.80 and $81.10, depending on the exact location.

A new Medicare rebate for GP consultations of 60 minutes or longer also took effect in November, giving patients a rebate of $191.20 and doctors to provide better care for patients with complex conditions.

More personalised Medicare will be built through MyMedicare.

Since voluntary registration for MyMedicare opened in October, more than 150,000 people have already signed up to enjoy longer telehealth consultations.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said of this massive investment: 'We’re delivering the biggest investment in Medicare in over 40 years, with more incentives for bulk billing and 58 new Urgent Care clinics across Australia.'

'These changes to the Medicare bulk billing incentive will make it easier and cheaper for more than 11 million Australians to visit a doctor.’

‘Combined with our cheaper medicines policy, electricity bill relief, cheaper child care and increased rent assistance, we’re continuing to deliver targeted cost of living relief without adding to inflation.’

Health Minister Mark Butler went on to add: 'The tripling of the bulk billing incentive will help over 5 million children and their families, and more than 7 million pensioners and concession card holders to see a bulk billed GP.’

‘Doctors’ groups have called this a ‘game-changer’, and GPs right around the country have said this will help them maintain and even shift back to bulk billing.’

He added: ‘Peter Dutton froze the Medicare rebate when he was Health Minister 10 years ago—a freeze that remained in place for six long years and led to a very substantial decline in bulk billing in general practice.’

‘Bulk billing is the beating heart of Medicare, and Labor will always strengthen it.’

Key Takeaways

• The Albanese Government has implemented the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare, aiming to aid over 11 million Australians.
• The incentive for GPs to bulk bill children under 16, pensioners and other concession cardholders has been tripled for the most common consultations.
• A new Medicare rebate for GP consultations of 60 minutes or longer also begins today, paying patients a rebate of $191.20 and providing doctors with additional time to care for patients with complex conditions.
• The investment and reform have been praised by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Health Minister Mark Butler as momentous and game-changing, aiming to strengthen the accessibility and quality of Medicare.

What do you think of this Medicare investment by the government? Let us know in the comments below!

Modern conveniences help make life easier. However, when it comes to medicine, many would still prefer it if it remained affordable.

Luckily, amid the cost-of-living crisis, it looks like this wish has a chance to be granted.

The Australian Government has announced the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare, making it easier for more than 11 million Aussies to see a bulk-billing doctor.

Since July, the incentive for general practitioners to bulk bill children (aged 16 and under), pensioners, and other Commonwealth concession card holders for most common GP consults has tripled.

View attachment 37292

The Australian Government has increased investments in Medicare and made it easy to see a bulk-billing doctor! Image: Pexels

This benefit now applies to around 5 million children and their families and 7 million pensioners and concession cardholders, who together account for around 3 out of 5 visits to the GP.

On top of that, a hefty $1.5 billion indexation boost to Medicare payments also took effect in November, making it the biggest increase to Medicare payments since former Prime Minister Paul Keating was in office.

Aiming to give both patients and GPs more benefits from bulk billing, this massive bump in incentive payments means that in major cities, doctors will get 34 per cent more for a standard bulk-billed consultation of under 20 minutes (a Level B consultation), taking the Medicare payment for eligible patients to $62.05.

In rural parts of Australia, doctors will get around 50 per cent more for the same visit, taking the Medicare payment to between $72.80 and $81.10, depending on the exact location.

A new Medicare rebate for GP consultations of 60 minutes or longer also took effect in November, giving patients a rebate of $191.20 and doctors to provide better care for patients with complex conditions.

More personalised Medicare will be built through MyMedicare.

Since voluntary registration for MyMedicare opened in October, more than 150,000 people have already signed up to enjoy longer telehealth consultations.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said of this massive investment: 'We’re delivering the biggest investment in Medicare in over 40 years, with more incentives for bulk billing and 58 new Urgent Care clinics across Australia.'

'These changes to the Medicare bulk billing incentive will make it easier and cheaper for more than 11 million Australians to visit a doctor.’

‘Combined with our cheaper medicines policy, electricity bill relief, cheaper child care and increased rent assistance, we’re continuing to deliver targeted cost of living relief without adding to inflation.’

Health Minister Mark Butler went on to add: 'The tripling of the bulk billing incentive will help over 5 million children and their families, and more than 7 million pensioners and concession card holders to see a bulk billed GP.’

‘Doctors’ groups have called this a ‘game-changer’, and GPs right around the country have said this will help them maintain and even shift back to bulk billing.’

He added: ‘Peter Dutton froze the Medicare rebate when he was Health Minister 10 years ago—a freeze that remained in place for six long years and led to a very substantial decline in bulk billing in general practice.’

‘Bulk billing is the beating heart of Medicare, and Labor will always strengthen it.’

Key Takeaways

• The Albanese Government has implemented the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare, aiming to aid over 11 million Australians.
• The incentive for GPs to bulk bill children under 16, pensioners and other concession cardholders has been tripled for the most common consultations.
• A new Medicare rebate for GP consultations of 60 minutes or longer also begins today, paying patients a rebate of $191.20 and providing doctors with additional time to care for patients with complex conditions.
• The investment and reform have been praised by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Health Minister Mark Butler as momentous and game-changing, aiming to strengthen the accessibility and quality of Medicare.

What do you think of this Medicare investment by the government? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Blob]

The point to remember, when one listens to all Labor's bragging, (Also about wages not growing ) IS THAT INFLATION was very LOW then... and everyone was having a complete uncomplaining party !!! They have lost it now on inflation, and will increase taxes wherever they can, so keep voting them in and enjoy the ride. The Voting public are stupid, and only learn when they get burned. "Change the MOB"

 

[Boss1949]

Modern conveniences help make life easier. However, when it comes to medicine, many would still prefer it if it remained affordable.

Luckily, amid the cost-of-living crisis, it looks like this wish has a chance to be granted.

The Australian Government has announced the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare, making it easier for more than 11 million Aussies to see a bulk-billing doctor.

Since July, the incentive for general practitioners to bulk bill children (aged 16 and under), pensioners, and other Commonwealth concession card holders for most common GP consults has tripled.

View attachment 37292

The Australian Government has increased investments in Medicare and made it easy to see a bulk-billing doctor! Image: Pexels

This benefit now applies to around 5 million children and their families and 7 million pensioners and concession cardholders, who together account for around 3 out of 5 visits to the GP.

On top of that, a hefty $1.5 billion indexation boost to Medicare payments also took effect in November, making it the biggest increase to Medicare payments since former Prime Minister Paul Keating was in office.

Aiming to give both patients and GPs more benefits from bulk billing, this massive bump in incentive payments means that in major cities, doctors will get 34 per cent more for a standard bulk-billed consultation of under 20 minutes (a Level B consultation), taking the Medicare payment for eligible patients to $62.05.

In rural parts of Australia, doctors will get around 50 per cent more for the same visit, taking the Medicare payment to between $72.80 and $81.10, depending on the exact location.

A new Medicare rebate for GP consultations of 60 minutes or longer also took effect in November, giving patients a rebate of $191.20 and doctors to provide better care for patients with complex conditions.

More personalised Medicare will be built through MyMedicare.

Since voluntary registration for MyMedicare opened in October, more than 150,000 people have already signed up to enjoy longer telehealth consultations.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said of this massive investment: 'We’re delivering the biggest investment in Medicare in over 40 years, with more incentives for bulk billing and 58 new Urgent Care clinics across Australia.'

'These changes to the Medicare bulk billing incentive will make it easier and cheaper for more than 11 million Australians to visit a doctor.’

‘Combined with our cheaper medicines policy, electricity bill relief, cheaper child care and increased rent assistance, we’re continuing to deliver targeted cost of living relief without adding to inflation.’

Health Minister Mark Butler went on to add: 'The tripling of the bulk billing incentive will help over 5 million children and their families, and more than 7 million pensioners and concession card holders to see a bulk billed GP.’

‘Doctors’ groups have called this a ‘game-changer’, and GPs right around the country have said this will help them maintain and even shift back to bulk billing.’

He added: ‘Peter Dutton froze the Medicare rebate when he was Health Minister 10 years ago—a freeze that remained in place for six long years and led to a very substantial decline in bulk billing in general practice.’

‘Bulk billing is the beating heart of Medicare, and Labor will always strengthen it.’

Key Takeaways

• The Albanese Government has implemented the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare, aiming to aid over 11 million Australians.
• The incentive for GPs to bulk bill children under 16, pensioners and other concession cardholders has been tripled for the most common consultations.
• A new Medicare rebate for GP consultations of 60 minutes or longer also begins today, paying patients a rebate of $191.20 and providing doctors with additional time to care for patients with complex conditions.
• The investment and reform have been praised by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Health Minister Mark Butler as momentous and game-changing, aiming to strengthen the accessibility and quality of Medicare.

What do you think of this Medicare investment by the government? Let us know in the comments below!

Will believe it when I see it. The incentive is there but bet my doctor won’t embrace it. So expecting more out of pocket expenses.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I think there needs to be a complete overhaul !!

My daughter just dropped her medical fund due to her mortgage going up.
A few weeks later she was told that my four year old granddaughter needs surgery to have grommets put in. She has constant earache and can't hear. My granddaughter has level 2 autism and they thought she was deaf.

My daughter was told , she needed the surgery sooner than later but unfortunately the waiting list is between 12 to 18 months or she could have it done in 2 weeks ( which was yesterday) at an out of pocket cost of $4500. Of course my daughter chose the out of pocket one and will withdraw on her mortgage.

They say our medical system doesn't discriminate, that is so laughable and so wrong.

My granddaughter became sick with the flu on Friday and surgery needed to be postponed

 

[Jennie]

About time it hasn’t kept up with inflation and now it’s just a big mess, same with private insurance all you get is a private hospital bed ad a bill, mine $6200 out of pocket Medicare and private insurance which I’ve held for over 40 years and never had an overnight stay in hospital only contributing $3200 between them so guess I can see why people have dropped it.going like the USA now only the rich can afford health care

Yes it costs more if you are privately insured, both in the premiums and the medical bill.

 

[elaine41]

When is the incentive being paid to GPs I worked on General Practice and know how the lack of increases to the Medicare rebate have drastically reduced the amount of money GPs have received I hope this new incentive is already being paid
As for the new 2 for 1 medicines on a script The Government have always had a threshold, that once reached in a calendar year, medicine's are free for the remainder of that calendar year This new 2 for one script will prevent people from reaching this threshold and thus is a useless piece of so called help Unless this threshold is reduced everybody will be no better off Also this means that people will visit GPs less so reduces the money GPs make from patients as they visit less often so the incentive for HPs to bulk bill is lost So much for helping with the cost of living Rant over

Many of us do not reach the threshold & so the chance to get 2 for 1 script is a big saving. I have a friend who is on a large amount of prescription medication yet she only reached the threshold a couple of weeks ago. The threshold is way too high for many who need a lot of medication to remain healthy in old age.

By not needing to go to the doctor every few months to have a prescription rewritten does not necessarily reduce their income. In fact, it quite probably increases it because if I went the Dr would get just the Medicare rebate but if I don't need to go that frees him to see another person who quite possibly needs to more urgent care & will be paying the full fee.

 

[arthur dagger]

Nothing new with the Liberal government of the day freezing Medicare bulk billing they have always out sourced health to private companies so people have to pay same as schools less to public schools and more to private schools they were trying to get the American system in so everyone pays otherwise you get sub standard health and schooling they are the parasites of the working class always looking after the rich and multinational companies get to see Labor get this back on track after years of neglect from the Liberal maggots

I guess you are a staunch labour voter car'nt see past your nose. Labour are run by the greens which are going to destroy policics in australia

 

[Knell]

I guess you are a staunch labour voter car'nt see past your nose. Labour are run by the greens which are going to destroy policics in australia

Argh!!!!! The Greens.....trauma trigger!

 

[Knell]

Argh!!!!! The Greens.....trauma trigger! Have to bite my tongue so hard it will be bleeding!

 

[Suzanne rose]

Many of us do not reach the threshold & so the chance to get 2 for 1 script is a big saving. I have a friend who is on a large amount of prescription medication yet she only reached the threshold a couple of weeks ago. The threshold is way too high for many who need a lot of medication to remain healthy in old age.

By not needing to go to the doctor every few months to have a prescription rewritten does not necessarily reduce their income. In fact, it quite probably increases it because if I went the Dr would get just the Medicare rebate but if I don't need to go that frees him to see another person who quite possibly needs to more urgent care & will be paying the full fee.

Did you know there are not alot of medication on the 2 for one.

My daughter is on alot of medication for her lungs including ventolin, prednisone, Spirava, plus two others and none of these are two for one.

I'm on ventolin , Lyrica for nerve pain and also an antidepressant. None of these are 2 for 1

Hubby is on blood pressure tablets and Metaforin for diabetes, these he gets 2 for 1

So out of 10 regular medication I get made up only 2 are 2 for 1.

I reached out safety net early October but not everything is on this either two of my daughters meds are not. And only generic brands are free

 

[Suzanne rose]

Argh!!!!! The Greens.....trauma trigger!

 

[David567]

Must be getting close to voting time. Albo is crawling for brownie points. Now we just have to find a doctor who bulk bills. Out local doctor doesn't bulk bill anyone because they are tight arses.
I don't think this will change anything really, just longer waiting times at the doctors.

 

[siameezer]

When is the incentive being paid to GPs I worked on General Practice and know how the lack of increases to the Medicare rebate have drastically reduced the amount of money GPs have received I hope this new incentive is already being paid
As for the new 2 for 1 medicines on a script The Government have always had a threshold, that once reached in a calendar year, medicine's are free for the remainder of that calendar year This new 2 for one script will prevent people from reaching this threshold and thus is a useless piece of so called help Unless this threshold is reduced everybody will be no better off Also this means that people will visit GPs less so reduces the money GPs make from patients as they visit less often so the incentive for HPs to bulk bill is lost So much for helping with the cost of living Rant over

The 2-for-1 scripts are actually not necessarily cheaper for the patient either. I am on three prescription medications, two of which I cannot take the generic version of, and I need to be dispensed the "name brand". With my pensioner concession and the previous added premium for the name brand I was paying $34 for one month's supply. I just had my 2 month supply dispensed and it cost me $58 because the pharmacist said the premium for the non-generic meds had been increased. I know it is $10 a month cheaper than having 2 separate monthly fillings of the prescriptions, but not the saving it was supposed to be.
The idea is to reduce the number of times you visit the doctor so that more people can get in and waiting times for an appointment aren't as long as they have been in the past.

 

[siameezer]

I guess you are a staunch labour voter car'nt see past your nose. Labour are run by the greens which are going to destroy policics in australia

LOL talk about political ignorance! Look up the voting history of Greens MPs and Senators (and yes it is all publicly available) and you will see they vote with the LNP more often than not. That old lie about the Greens being influential on Labor decisions is an old furphy.