Medicare fraud could cause mass doctor resignations, new report warns
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Over the last few days, the media has been reporting and discussing how much money is being taken out of our pockets each year by people who are taking advantage of Medicare.
In fact, we previously covered this story here.
It’s no secret that the Australian medical industry is big and it’s getting bigger. Many yearly reports reveal that Australians are facing ever-rising healthcare costs, and GP costs are no exception.
A certain report published by media organisations, including Nine and ABC, reported staggering numbers such as an estimated $8 billion in Medicare rorting annually.
The news prompted one of Australia’s top doctors to speak up, saying that many doctors have been threatening to quit their jobs in the wake of these reports.
On Monday, Professor Steve Robson of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) said that several doctors are considering leaving the profession due to these reports.
To prove this point, he posted a tweet from a GP showing a conversation between them and the doctor’s patient.
The message read: 'I’m done with all the abuse and politics. I’m going back into hospital work.'
The tweet was sent out as Health Minister Mark Butler reportedly confirmed a government analysis into claims that doctors had stolen the money from Medicare and commented that the $8 billion figure was 'extremely high'.
Mr Butler said that he will 'come down on the side of truth' after the Australian Medical Association slammed the rorting claims as an 'unjustified slur' on the profession.
He also asked the Department of Health to review a PhD thesis written by lawyer Margaret Faux, which estimated that $8bn was ‘rorted’ annually, and said that the figure employed by Faux is 'substantially higher' than previous estimations.
'It does seem extremely high,' he remarked.
Meanwhile, the AMA said that the claims would mean that as much as 30 per cent of medical consults were inappropriately billed.
'Doctors will be sickened by today’s reporting which is an undeserved attack on the whole profession based very much on anecdotes and individual cases,' Professor Robson said.
'The AMA works closely with the Department of Health on compliance and we have never seen any concerns or numbers that would support the figures that were reported today.'
'We do not tolerate fraud and examples of fraud should be tackled and stamped out – but the figures reported today are grossly inflated.'
However, Mr Butler did admit that Medicare fraud cases are present, and there are many cases that are currently in the court system.
'There is fraud in the Medicare system unfortunately,' he claimed.
'There will inevitably be the odd bad apple.'
According to the health minister, there are currently 24 Medicare fraud cases pending in court, and an additional 18 cases have been referred to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
However, he said that there was high professional compliance and that there were 'many, many thousands of honest hardworking health professionals who every day deliver hundreds and hundreds of thousands of Medicare services.'
There's no denying that a global pandemic has hit the healthcare sector hard, with hospitals and clinics struggling to cope with the influx of patients, staff shortages, and unsteady cash flow.
The situation is only getting worse, now that the fraud issues are plaguing the medical profession. It’s not surprising that even our medical practitioners are not safe from con artists. After all, the root cause of corruption is the lack of sufficient funds to pay for wages and equipment.
Do you think the government should come up with a solution that not only caters to patients but to medical professionals as well? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
In fact, we previously covered this story here.
It’s no secret that the Australian medical industry is big and it’s getting bigger. Many yearly reports reveal that Australians are facing ever-rising healthcare costs, and GP costs are no exception.
A certain report published by media organisations, including Nine and ABC, reported staggering numbers such as an estimated $8 billion in Medicare rorting annually.
The news prompted one of Australia’s top doctors to speak up, saying that many doctors have been threatening to quit their jobs in the wake of these reports.
On Monday, Professor Steve Robson of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) said that several doctors are considering leaving the profession due to these reports.
To prove this point, he posted a tweet from a GP showing a conversation between them and the doctor’s patient.
The message read: 'I’m done with all the abuse and politics. I’m going back into hospital work.'
The tweet was sent out as Health Minister Mark Butler reportedly confirmed a government analysis into claims that doctors had stolen the money from Medicare and commented that the $8 billion figure was 'extremely high'.
Health Minister Mark Butler confirmed that the government is investigating the estimated $8 billion figure that was allegedly being rorted out of Medicare annually. Credit: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage.
Mr Butler said that he will 'come down on the side of truth' after the Australian Medical Association slammed the rorting claims as an 'unjustified slur' on the profession.
He also asked the Department of Health to review a PhD thesis written by lawyer Margaret Faux, which estimated that $8bn was ‘rorted’ annually, and said that the figure employed by Faux is 'substantially higher' than previous estimations.
'It does seem extremely high,' he remarked.
Meanwhile, the AMA said that the claims would mean that as much as 30 per cent of medical consults were inappropriately billed.
'Doctors will be sickened by today’s reporting which is an undeserved attack on the whole profession based very much on anecdotes and individual cases,' Professor Robson said.
'The AMA works closely with the Department of Health on compliance and we have never seen any concerns or numbers that would support the figures that were reported today.'
'We do not tolerate fraud and examples of fraud should be tackled and stamped out – but the figures reported today are grossly inflated.'
Dr Margaret Faux’s thesis showed the ‘extremely high’ amount of funds that are being acquired by con artists from Medicare. Credit: news.com.au.
However, Mr Butler did admit that Medicare fraud cases are present, and there are many cases that are currently in the court system.
'There is fraud in the Medicare system unfortunately,' he claimed.
'There will inevitably be the odd bad apple.'
According to the health minister, there are currently 24 Medicare fraud cases pending in court, and an additional 18 cases have been referred to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
However, he said that there was high professional compliance and that there were 'many, many thousands of honest hardworking health professionals who every day deliver hundreds and hundreds of thousands of Medicare services.'
The situation is only getting worse, now that the fraud issues are plaguing the medical profession. It’s not surprising that even our medical practitioners are not safe from con artists. After all, the root cause of corruption is the lack of sufficient funds to pay for wages and equipment.
Do you think the government should come up with a solution that not only caters to patients but to medical professionals as well? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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