National Healthcare Crisis: Over 30% of GPs No Longer Bulk Bill
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It's been a tough time for many of us lately, especially with the rising living costs.
A recent report has shown that the number of bulk-billing GPs in Australia has significantly decreased, which could mean that we'll be spending more money when we need to visit the doctor.
According to the report, Cleanbill – an online healthcare directory – looked at 416 general practitioner clinics across Australia between 2018 and 2022 and found a decline in national bulk billing rates.
This means that fewer clinics are opting to bulk bill patients.
Credit: 7NEWS Australia.
Four years ago, almost half of the GPs in Australia bulk billed their patients, but that figure has dropped down to just over 30 per cent. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has said that this is because Medicare rebates haven't kept up with the cost of running a practice, which has led to higher out-of-pocket costs for patients.
AMA vice president, Dr Daniel McMuller, has said that GPs have reached a tipping point where they can no longer stretch their dollar further and that the government needs to take ownership of this problem and provide adequate support for Medicare funding.
It's important to note that this report only looked at a standard 15-minute consultation for an adult during regular business hours.
Let's take a closer look at how the different capital cities in Australia have been affected by the decrease in bulk billing rates.
Brisbane
According to the report, Brisbane saw the largest decrease in all of the capital cities, with a drop of 58 per cent. On top of that, prices have gone up in Queensland more than in any other state.
Across all clinics surveyed, the average out-of-pocket cost for a standard 15-minute consultation increased by $3.58. However, Brisbane patients saw the most significant jump in cost, with prices rising from $38.94 four years ago to an average of $44 last year, a rise of 13 per cent.
Adelaide
In Adelaide, bulk billing numbers fell by 45 per cent. The northern suburbs saw significant falls in bulk billing rates, with Paralowie and Salisbury falling by 40 per cent and Elizabeth down by 33 per cent. Things were even worse in the city itself, as Adelaide's CBD saw a plunge of more than 65 per cent, and Prospect fell by 50 per cent.
On average, Adelaide residents were charged eight per cent more for their consultations.
Sydney
The decrease in bulk billing services in Australia's capital cities hasn't spared Sydney either, as the city's GPs recorded a 29 per cent drop in bulk billing services.
Among the clinics tracked in New South Wales, Penrith recorded a fall in bulk billing rates by 27.3 per cent, while Burwood and Campbelltown fell by 22 per cent and 14.3 per cent, respectively. In the city, Barangaroo saw a drop of 63.6 per cent, and Darlinghurst and Surry Hills fell by 66.7 per cent.
As for out-of-pocket cost increases, Sydney saw a 3.4 per cent rise.
Melbourne
Moving on to Melbourne, the report found that out of 103 medical practices surveyed, there were 12 fewer bulk billing clinics at the end of the four-year period — bulk billing numbers fell by 12 per cent. Additionally, the average out-of-pocket cost increased by more than $5.
Perth
In Perth, the proportion of bulk billing clinics fell to 32 per cent, while the out-of-pocket cost for a standard doctor's appointment increased by 6.3 per cent to $42.40.
Finally, we have some hard data on the changes in bulk billing rates and out-of-pocket costs, and it confirms what many of us have already suspected. There are fewer bulk-billing GP clinics around now than there were four years ago, and average out-of-pocket costs are continuing to climb.
These figures are disturbing. With the rising cost of living and the after-effects of the pandemic still being felt, financial pressures can be overwhelming for those who need medical treatments.
Members, if you are finding it hard to make medical expenses, you can reach out to support services like Centrelink or Lifeline. You can also speak to your doctor or health provider to discuss payment plans so you can get the medical treatments you need in a more affordable way.
Do you have any advice for members about how to save money on medical bills? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below.
A recent report has shown that the number of bulk-billing GPs in Australia has significantly decreased, which could mean that we'll be spending more money when we need to visit the doctor.
According to the report, Cleanbill – an online healthcare directory – looked at 416 general practitioner clinics across Australia between 2018 and 2022 and found a decline in national bulk billing rates.
This means that fewer clinics are opting to bulk bill patients.
Credit: 7NEWS Australia.
Four years ago, almost half of the GPs in Australia bulk billed their patients, but that figure has dropped down to just over 30 per cent. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has said that this is because Medicare rebates haven't kept up with the cost of running a practice, which has led to higher out-of-pocket costs for patients.
AMA vice president, Dr Daniel McMuller, has said that GPs have reached a tipping point where they can no longer stretch their dollar further and that the government needs to take ownership of this problem and provide adequate support for Medicare funding.
It's important to note that this report only looked at a standard 15-minute consultation for an adult during regular business hours.
Let's take a closer look at how the different capital cities in Australia have been affected by the decrease in bulk billing rates.
Brisbane
According to the report, Brisbane saw the largest decrease in all of the capital cities, with a drop of 58 per cent. On top of that, prices have gone up in Queensland more than in any other state.
Across all clinics surveyed, the average out-of-pocket cost for a standard 15-minute consultation increased by $3.58. However, Brisbane patients saw the most significant jump in cost, with prices rising from $38.94 four years ago to an average of $44 last year, a rise of 13 per cent.
A new report has revealed a major decline in national bulk billing services for general practitioners, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs for patients. Credit: Unsplash/National Cancer Institute.
Adelaide
In Adelaide, bulk billing numbers fell by 45 per cent. The northern suburbs saw significant falls in bulk billing rates, with Paralowie and Salisbury falling by 40 per cent and Elizabeth down by 33 per cent. Things were even worse in the city itself, as Adelaide's CBD saw a plunge of more than 65 per cent, and Prospect fell by 50 per cent.
On average, Adelaide residents were charged eight per cent more for their consultations.
Sydney
The decrease in bulk billing services in Australia's capital cities hasn't spared Sydney either, as the city's GPs recorded a 29 per cent drop in bulk billing services.
Among the clinics tracked in New South Wales, Penrith recorded a fall in bulk billing rates by 27.3 per cent, while Burwood and Campbelltown fell by 22 per cent and 14.3 per cent, respectively. In the city, Barangaroo saw a drop of 63.6 per cent, and Darlinghurst and Surry Hills fell by 66.7 per cent.
As for out-of-pocket cost increases, Sydney saw a 3.4 per cent rise.
Melbourne
Moving on to Melbourne, the report found that out of 103 medical practices surveyed, there were 12 fewer bulk billing clinics at the end of the four-year period — bulk billing numbers fell by 12 per cent. Additionally, the average out-of-pocket cost increased by more than $5.
Perth
In Perth, the proportion of bulk billing clinics fell to 32 per cent, while the out-of-pocket cost for a standard doctor's appointment increased by 6.3 per cent to $42.40.
Cleanbill, an online healthcare directory, analysed a total of 416 medical clinics across Australia between 2018 and 2022. Credit: cleanbill.com.au.
Finally, we have some hard data on the changes in bulk billing rates and out-of-pocket costs, and it confirms what many of us have already suspected. There are fewer bulk-billing GP clinics around now than there were four years ago, and average out-of-pocket costs are continuing to climb.
These figures are disturbing. With the rising cost of living and the after-effects of the pandemic still being felt, financial pressures can be overwhelming for those who need medical treatments.
Members, if you are finding it hard to make medical expenses, you can reach out to support services like Centrelink or Lifeline. You can also speak to your doctor or health provider to discuss payment plans so you can get the medical treatments you need in a more affordable way.
Do you have any advice for members about how to save money on medical bills? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below.
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