Is your GP still bulk billing? Shocking report reveals a sudden drop in rates last year
- Replies 15
Everything is getting more expensive each day, but out of all the things Aussies have to pay for, healthcare is and always will remain one of the most crucial.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) annually surveys the healthcare industry through its ‘Health of the Nation’ report.
However, the latest findings show a worrisome decline: the number of General Practitioners (GPs) offering bulk billing to all patients has halved in the past year.
The annual survey involving 2,048 GPs, revealed that only 12 per cent of GPs billed all patients in 2023, compared to 24 per cent in 2022.
Additionally, 30 per cent reported fully bulk billing the majority of their patients, down from 40 per cent in the previous year.
This decline is highlighted by growing healthcare costs, contributing to concerns about patient access and job satisfaction among GPs.
Patients who receive bulk billing incur no charges for their consultations, as GPs submit their bills directly to the government via Medicare.
Those who are paying for a GP visit have experienced an average fee increase of $10 in the past year.
In 2023, GPs charging a private fee reported an average cost of $74.66 for a standard consultation lasting less than 20 minutes, compared to $64 in 2022. Patients receive a $39.75 rebate from Medicare.
The report noted that the significant decline in bulk billing aligns with ‘anecdotal reports from GPs about the increasing cost of providing healthcare services in general practice and further compounds patient access issues’.
The decrease in bulk billing rates was also observed more in urban areas than in remote parts of Australia.
Bulk billing practices among GPs differ.
Those in corporate or non-corporate group practices are less likely to do so, while GPs in Aboriginal medical services, community-controlled health organisations, and aged care facilities are more inclined to bulk bill.
Meanwhile, the report found a decline in overall GP job satisfaction, dropping from 70 per cent in 2022 to 66 per cent in 2023. Simultaneously, there's a rise in GPs expressing 'very dissatisfied' sentiments, increasing from 4 per cent to 6 per cent.
Job satisfaction also varies based on the employment setting.
GPs in Aboriginal medical services or community-controlled health organisations reported higher satisfaction, while those in solo practices expressed the least satisfaction.
Notably, GPs practising in regional or rural areas exhibited increased job satisfaction.
Regarding work hours, 60 per cent of GPs reported working fewer than 40 hours a week in 2023, consistent with 2022. However, 5 per cent of GPs reported working over 60 hours a week, primarily those in solo practice.
Less than half of practising GPs would recommend their profession to junior colleagues, indicative of a decline in medical students choosing general practice as their preferred specialty.
Additionally, 29 per cent of GPs express intentions to retire within the next three years.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins underscored the persistent challenge of sourcing and retaining GPs, identified as the primary concern for most practice owners.
‘Our report is further evidence that we are facing a looming shortfall of GPs, and we need to do much more to attract and retain this essential workforce, for the health of Australians now and into the future,’ explained the president.
Dr Higgins urged offering GPs incentives during their first six months of community practice, along with study and parental leave.
‘It’s unfathomable that in today’s age GPs in training don’t get paid parental leave, and more so when you consider that more women are becoming GPs each year than men,’ said Dr Higgins.
‘Addressing these three key barriers would make an immediate difference in getting more GPs training and working in the communities that need them,’ she continued.
Video source: YouTube/Sky News Australia
Earlier, the federal government's updated bulk billing scheme triples incentive payments for GPs who bulk bill eligible patients, such as children, pensioners, and concession card holders.
Rebates for city-based practices will rise to $20.65 from $6.85 for a standard consultation. Meanwhile, an anticipated increase to $39.70 from $13.15 is expected for remote-based practices.
For more details, read here.
Members, any thoughts on a sudden drop in bulk billing rates? Share your views in the comments below!
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) annually surveys the healthcare industry through its ‘Health of the Nation’ report.
However, the latest findings show a worrisome decline: the number of General Practitioners (GPs) offering bulk billing to all patients has halved in the past year.
The annual survey involving 2,048 GPs, revealed that only 12 per cent of GPs billed all patients in 2023, compared to 24 per cent in 2022.
Additionally, 30 per cent reported fully bulk billing the majority of their patients, down from 40 per cent in the previous year.
This decline is highlighted by growing healthcare costs, contributing to concerns about patient access and job satisfaction among GPs.
Patients who receive bulk billing incur no charges for their consultations, as GPs submit their bills directly to the government via Medicare.
A decrease in the number of GPs fully bulk billing all patients is attributed to the rising costs of healthcare services. Image source: Pixabay
Those who are paying for a GP visit have experienced an average fee increase of $10 in the past year.
In 2023, GPs charging a private fee reported an average cost of $74.66 for a standard consultation lasting less than 20 minutes, compared to $64 in 2022. Patients receive a $39.75 rebate from Medicare.
The report noted that the significant decline in bulk billing aligns with ‘anecdotal reports from GPs about the increasing cost of providing healthcare services in general practice and further compounds patient access issues’.
The decrease in bulk billing rates was also observed more in urban areas than in remote parts of Australia.
Bulk billing practices among GPs differ.
Those in corporate or non-corporate group practices are less likely to do so, while GPs in Aboriginal medical services, community-controlled health organisations, and aged care facilities are more inclined to bulk bill.
Meanwhile, the report found a decline in overall GP job satisfaction, dropping from 70 per cent in 2022 to 66 per cent in 2023. Simultaneously, there's a rise in GPs expressing 'very dissatisfied' sentiments, increasing from 4 per cent to 6 per cent.
Job satisfaction also varies based on the employment setting.
GPs in Aboriginal medical services or community-controlled health organisations reported higher satisfaction, while those in solo practices expressed the least satisfaction.
Notably, GPs practising in regional or rural areas exhibited increased job satisfaction.
Regarding work hours, 60 per cent of GPs reported working fewer than 40 hours a week in 2023, consistent with 2022. However, 5 per cent of GPs reported working over 60 hours a week, primarily those in solo practice.
Less than half of practising GPs would recommend their profession to junior colleagues, indicative of a decline in medical students choosing general practice as their preferred specialty.
Additionally, 29 per cent of GPs express intentions to retire within the next three years.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins underscored the persistent challenge of sourcing and retaining GPs, identified as the primary concern for most practice owners.
‘Our report is further evidence that we are facing a looming shortfall of GPs, and we need to do much more to attract and retain this essential workforce, for the health of Australians now and into the future,’ explained the president.
Dr Higgins urged offering GPs incentives during their first six months of community practice, along with study and parental leave.
‘It’s unfathomable that in today’s age GPs in training don’t get paid parental leave, and more so when you consider that more women are becoming GPs each year than men,’ said Dr Higgins.
‘Addressing these three key barriers would make an immediate difference in getting more GPs training and working in the communities that need them,’ she continued.
Video source: YouTube/Sky News Australia
Earlier, the federal government's updated bulk billing scheme triples incentive payments for GPs who bulk bill eligible patients, such as children, pensioners, and concession card holders.
Rebates for city-based practices will rise to $20.65 from $6.85 for a standard consultation. Meanwhile, an anticipated increase to $39.70 from $13.15 is expected for remote-based practices.
For more details, read here.
Last edited by a moderator:
.png){kind=icon}
