Visiting the doctor just got a whole lot easier for millions of Australians in need of critical healthcare services.

Starting November 1, it would be significantly simpler for patients to find a bulk billing general practitioner (GP) thanks to a major boost in government incentives.

The revised bulk billing scheme announced by the Federal Government triples the incentive payment for doctors who agree to bulk bill eligible patients—including children, pensioners, and concession card holders.

The rebates on city-based practices will increase to $20.65 instead of $6.85 for a standard consult. An increase to $39.70 instead of $13.15 is also expected for remote-based practices.

The Federal Government increased the bulk billing incentive for GPs. Credit: Online Marketing/Unsplash

‘This is the biggest investment in Medicare bulk billing in 40 years,’ Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in an interview.

What does this all mean? Bulk billing is when a general practitioner agrees to bill the government directly for a consultation rather than charging the patient. This makes doctor visits completely free for the patient at the point of care.

However, in recent years, bulk billing rates have declined as Medicare rebates failed to keep up with inflation and practice costs.

‘This is all about making it easier and cheaper for people to see a bulk billing doctor,’ Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated.

This is especially significant following the recent news that the Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommended a price hike for GP consultations. Starting this month, a standard non-bulk billed GP appointment will rise from $98 to $102.

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.'

You can learn more about the price hike in this article.

According to Dr Nicole Higgins, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), bulk billing had ‘declined significantly’ because Medicare rebates sat below inflation for years and ‘are nowhere near the cost of care’.

The changes are expected to be a game changer for the over 11 million concession card and healthcare card holders who can now readily access free general practice visits.

You can watch 7NEWS Australia’s coverage of the story here:

​

Key Takeaways

• The Federal Government has tripled the bulk billing incentive for children, pensioners and concession card holders, making it easier for them to find a bulk billing doctor.
  
• Under this revised scheme, GPs can now charge significantly more to the government for bulk billing.
  
• The Health Minister, Mark Butler, has announced that these changes will allow 11 million patients to see a doctor completely free of charge.
  
• The president of the RACGP, Dr Nicole Higgins, has said that these changes are vital as bulk billing had significantly declined due to Medicare rebates being below inflation for several years.
  

What do you think about this change in bulk billing, members? How does this affect you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

[Countryjohn]

It’s about time!!
What about specialists who charge a gap as much as $200.
I am waiting to see 4 but being on the pension and paying 85% of it to stay here and then there are meds (reached PBS limit) toiletries and need private health which it looks as if it will have to go. All that is more than my pension and no other money.
To be honest specialists in Philippines are cheaper to see by about $180. It’s a developing country and the healthcare isn’t as good as here but cost much more affordable.

 

[Clancieblue]

What about the parent with 3 sick kids and only 1 parent working .

 

[Littleboy8]

It’s about time!!
What about specialists who charge a gap as much as $200.
I am waiting to see 4 but being on the pension and paying 85% of it to stay here and then there are meds (reached PBS limit) toiletries and need private health which it looks as if it will have to go. All that is more than my pension and no other money.
To be honest specialists in Philippines are cheaper to see by about $180. It’s a developing country and the healthcare isn’t as good as here but cost much more affordable.

What about getting there it would be too expensive in travel costs so where’s the logic

 

[Bikkie mum]

Visiting the doctor just got a whole lot easier for millions of Australians in need of critical healthcare services.

Starting November 1, it would be significantly simpler for patients to find a bulk billing general practitioner (GP) thanks to a major boost in government incentives.

The revised bulk billing scheme announced by the Federal Government triples the incentive payment for doctors who agree to bulk bill eligible patients—including children, pensioners, and concession card holders.

The rebates on city-based practices will increase to $20.65 instead of $6.85 for a standard consult. An increase to $39.70 instead of $13.15 is also expected for remote-based practices.

View attachment 33675

The Federal Government increased the bulk billing incentive for GPs. Credit: Online Marketing/Unsplash

‘This is the biggest investment in Medicare bulk billing in 40 years,’ Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in an interview.

What does this all mean? Bulk billing is when a general practitioner agrees to bill the government directly for a consultation rather than charging the patient. This makes doctor visits completely free for the patient at the point of care.

However, in recent years, bulk billing rates have declined as Medicare rebates failed to keep up with inflation and practice costs.

‘This is all about making it easier and cheaper for people to see a bulk billing doctor,’ Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated.

This is especially significant following the recent news that the Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommended a price hike for GP consultations. Starting this month, a standard non-bulk billed GP appointment will rise from $98 to $102.

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.'

You can learn more about the price hike in this article.

According to Dr Nicole Higgins, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), bulk billing had ‘declined significantly’ because Medicare rebates sat below inflation for years and ‘are nowhere near the cost of care’.

The changes are expected to be a game changer for the over 11 million concession card and healthcare card holders who can now readily access free general practice visits.

You can watch 7NEWS Australia’s coverage of the story here:

​

Key Takeaways

• The Federal Government has tripled the bulk billing incentive for children, pensioners and concession card holders, making it easier for them to find a bulk billing doctor.
• Under this revised scheme, GPs can now charge significantly more to the government for bulk billing.
• The Health Minister, Mark Butler, has announced that these changes will allow 11 million patients to see a doctor completely free of charge.
• The president of the RACGP, Dr Nicole Higgins, has said that these changes are vital as bulk billing had significantly declined due to Medicare rebates being below inflation for several years.

What do you think about this change in bulk billing, members? How does this affect you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

My Dr usually bulk bills me when I ask his he doing it

 

[Jan A]

This "incentive" goes nowhere near far enough. Under the previous government, Medicare rebates for doctors were on hold for a decade while all the other costs rose for medical practices, like salaries, rent, consumables, etc. It is becoming financially untenable for medical centres to remain as bulk billing practices. We pay a Medicare levy in our taxes and we are charged a penalty if we do not have health insurance, and we still have to pay to see a doctor. The rebate needs to rise for everyone, not just a few in society, or medical services will become less available. Already medical graduates are opting not to work in general practice but to seek specialties. GPs are the key to the medical system and our first line of defence against illness. If we have too few medical graduates entering general practice because of low rebates, our entire system of medical care will be endangered. This situation can only be rectified by increases in government support for Medicare. The current government needs to step up and provide the medical services that voters and taxpayers expect.

 

[PawMan]

Visiting the doctor just got a whole lot easier for millions of Australians in need of critical healthcare services.

Starting November 1, it would be significantly simpler for patients to find a bulk billing general practitioner (GP) thanks to a major boost in government incentives.

The revised bulk billing scheme announced by the Federal Government triples the incentive payment for doctors who agree to bulk bill eligible patients—including children, pensioners, and concession card holders.

The rebates on city-based practices will increase to $20.65 instead of $6.85 for a standard consult. An increase to $39.70 instead of $13.15 is also expected for remote-based practices.

View attachment 33675

The Federal Government increased the bulk billing incentive for GPs. Credit: Online Marketing/Unsplash

‘This is the biggest investment in Medicare bulk billing in 40 years,’ Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in an interview.

What does this all mean? Bulk billing is when a general practitioner agrees to bill the government directly for a consultation rather than charging the patient. This makes doctor visits completely free for the patient at the point of care.

However, in recent years, bulk billing rates have declined as Medicare rebates failed to keep up with inflation and practice costs.

‘This is all about making it easier and cheaper for people to see a bulk billing doctor,’ Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated.

This is especially significant following the recent news that the Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommended a price hike for GP consultations. Starting this month, a standard non-bulk billed GP appointment will rise from $98 to $102.

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.'

You can learn more about the price hike in this article.

According to Dr Nicole Higgins, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), bulk billing had ‘declined significantly’ because Medicare rebates sat below inflation for years and ‘are nowhere near the cost of care’.

The changes are expected to be a game changer for the over 11 million concession card and healthcare card holders who can now readily access free general practice visits.

You can watch 7NEWS Australia’s coverage of the story here:

​

Key Takeaways

• The Federal Government has tripled the bulk billing incentive for children, pensioners and concession card holders, making it easier for them to find a bulk billing doctor.
• Under this revised scheme, GPs can now charge significantly more to the government for bulk billing.
• The Health Minister, Mark Butler, has announced that these changes will allow 11 million patients to see a doctor completely free of charge.
• The president of the RACGP, Dr Nicole Higgins, has said that these changes are vital as bulk billing had significantly declined due to Medicare rebates being below inflation for several years.

What do you think about this change in bulk billing, members? How does this affect you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

It still isn't enough for our GP's. Were they really only being paid around $6 and now $28. That doesn't show any respect for our drs that have studied and trained for many years.

 

[Shazza13]

GPHave been badly underpaid now for 46yrs when they had then been promised if they’d Bulk Bill Patients who were Elegible were not paid. Their Medicare Rebate was $20 then & that’s over 40 years ago. My husband was a Practising GP then & knew our System was then in a Very Very Bad Way. Wish I could remember who was the Government in Control. The GPS had to see a minimum of 50 patients back then to be able Claim to Claim Rebate Payments. My Husband used to see Patients Free of Charge or The Wouldn’t be Able to be Treated. It Was Grossly Unfair for those GPS but Thank God for Their Generosity. I Think it Was When Gough Whitlam was in Power.

 

[Leoniey]

This "incentive" goes nowhere near far enough. Under the previous government, Medicare rebates for doctors were on hold for a decade while all the other costs rose for medical practices, like salaries, rent, consumables, etc. It is becoming financially untenable for medical centres to remain as bulk billing practices. We pay a Medicare levy in our taxes and we are charged a penalty if we do not have health insurance, and we still have to pay to see a doctor. The rebate needs to rise for everyone, not just a few in society, or medical services will become less available. Already medical graduates are opting not to work in general practice but to seek specialties. GPs are the key to the medical system and our first line of defence against illness. If we have too few medical graduates entering general practice because of low rebates, our entire system of medical care will be endangered. This situation can only be rectified by increases in government support for Medicare. The current government needs to step up and provide the medical services that voters and taxpayers expect.

 

[Leoniey]

Our medical center put up its costs and we now pay $20 per visit. This is to keep the center running, the doctors do not get any of this, so I am glad they will get more now the Medicare rebate has increased. Unfortunately, I think we are stuck paying the extra $20 as we are not yet pensioners. There are no bulk billing centers where we live now (none I am aware of, unless you receive a Centrelink payment and have a health care card).

 

[Apollo]

Visiting the doctor just got a whole lot easier for millions of Australians in need of critical healthcare services.

Starting November 1, it would be significantly simpler for patients to find a bulk billing general practitioner (GP) thanks to a major boost in government incentives.

The revised bulk billing scheme announced by the Federal Government triples the incentive payment for doctors who agree to bulk bill eligible patients—including children, pensioners, and concession card holders.

The rebates on city-based practices will increase to $20.65 instead of $6.85 for a standard consult. An increase to $39.70 instead of $13.15 is also expected for remote-based practices.

View attachment 33675

The Federal Government increased the bulk billing incentive for GPs. Credit: Online Marketing/Unsplash

‘This is the biggest investment in Medicare bulk billing in 40 years,’ Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in an interview.

What does this all mean? Bulk billing is when a general practitioner agrees to bill the government directly for a consultation rather than charging the patient. This makes doctor visits completely free for the patient at the point of care.

However, in recent years, bulk billing rates have declined as Medicare rebates failed to keep up with inflation and practice costs.

‘This is all about making it easier and cheaper for people to see a bulk billing doctor,’ Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated.

This is especially significant following the recent news that the Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommended a price hike for GP consultations. Starting this month, a standard non-bulk billed GP appointment will rise from $98 to $102.

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.'

You can learn more about the price hike in this article.

According to Dr Nicole Higgins, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), bulk billing had ‘declined significantly’ because Medicare rebates sat below inflation for years and ‘are nowhere near the cost of care’.

The changes are expected to be a game changer for the over 11 million concession card and healthcare card holders who can now readily access free general practice visits.

You can watch 7NEWS Australia’s coverage of the story here:

​

Key Takeaways

• The Federal Government has tripled the bulk billing incentive for children, pensioners and concession card holders, making it easier for them to find a bulk billing doctor.
• Under this revised scheme, GPs can now charge significantly more to the government for bulk billing.
• The Health Minister, Mark Butler, has announced that these changes will allow 11 million patients to see a doctor completely free of charge.
• The president of the RACGP, Dr Nicole Higgins, has said that these changes are vital as bulk billing had significantly declined due to Medicare rebates being below inflation for several years.

What do you think about this change in bulk billing, members? How does this affect you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

I worry about my GP, who also owns three medical centres, being able to put petrol in his new Maserati. The struggle is real!

 

[Littleboy8]

I worry about my GP, who also owns three medical centres, being able to put petrol in his new Maserati. The struggle is real!