Simple mistake at your next GP visit could lead to unexpected expenses
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Navigating the Australian healthcare system can sometimes feel like a maze, and for those over 60, understanding the costs associated with visiting a general practitioner (GP) is crucial.
A recent survey from the peak body for GPs has revealed that out-of-pocket costs for GP visits are higher than ever, with the average gap payment for a 20-minute consultation now at $36.86 in 2024.
According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ 2024 Health of the Nation report, this increased from $34.91 the previous year.
The increase in costs is hitting the most vulnerable patients the hardest, particularly those living with chronic complex illnesses who require longer consultations.
The college’s president, Dr Nicole Higgins, expressed concern, stating, 'The gap is the highest it’s ever been.'
This is especially troubling for our senior community, who often rely on frequent medical consultations to manage their health.
The report also highlighted a rise in longer consultations due to mental health presentations, with 71 per cent of GPs reporting mental health as a top reason for patient consults, a significant increase from 61 per cent in 2017.
This reflects a growing need for mental health support among Australians, a need that must be met with adequate resources and affordable care.
In response to these rising costs, the college advocated for a 20 per cent increase to all Medicare rebates for 20-minute and longer consults, with additional increases for rural and remote communities.
When Medicare was introduced 40 years ago, it covered 85 per cent of the cost of a GP visit.
Today, coverage has plummeted to 45 per cent, a decline attributed to successive governments' decade-long Medicare freeze and insufficient indexation, compounded by inflation in the health sector.
Despite the government tripling the bulk billing incentive for pensioners, children, and healthcare card holders, which led to one in four GPs bulk billing more consults, patients still need to pay more attention to their out-of-pocket expenses.
This is a reminder that while bulk billing can alleviate some costs, it is not a panacea for the financial burden of healthcare.
Encouragingly, the report did find some positive trends in the GP workforce.
In 2025, the college exceeded its recruitment targets for young doctors in rural and urban training programs, indicating a renewed interest in general practice.
This is a welcome development, as the GP workforce is aging.
Two out of five GPs indicate retirement plans within the next five years.
However, the report also illuminated the growing administrative workload for GPs, which increased from 60 per cent in 2023 to 70 per cent in 2024.
This administrative burden is why GPs are considering leaving the profession soon.
Furthermore, the report called for an overhaul of the My Health Record system, which was criticised for its incomplete records and poor usability.
Nearly one-third of GPs rarely or never use electronic medical records, suggesting a need for a more efficient health data system that could save billions and reduce patients' out-of-pocket costs.
Dr Christopher Harrison from the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health emphasised the importance of bulk billing in ensuring an efficient and accessible healthcare system.
‘Bulk billing removes financial barriers that may push patients to delay care or to seek it from an emergency department, which costs the system far more,’ he said.
‘The increases to the bulk-billing incentive items payments were a step in the right direction. These results support other evidence that they have made a difference.’
‘However, more needs to be done to incentivise the bulk billing of people of working age who are not covered by the current incentive items.’
According to a report from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the percentage of GPs who bulk bill all their patients has dropped by half over the past year.
The report also highlighted a decline in GP job satisfaction, with overall satisfaction falling from 70 per cent in 2022 to 66 per cent in 2023. You can read more about it here.
Have you experienced rising healthcare costs? Feel free to share your stories and tips with us in the comments below.
A recent survey from the peak body for GPs has revealed that out-of-pocket costs for GP visits are higher than ever, with the average gap payment for a 20-minute consultation now at $36.86 in 2024.
According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ 2024 Health of the Nation report, this increased from $34.91 the previous year.
The increase in costs is hitting the most vulnerable patients the hardest, particularly those living with chronic complex illnesses who require longer consultations.
Out-of-pocket costs for GP visits in Australia reached an all-time high, averaging $36.86 for a 20-minute consultation in 2024. Credit: Shutterstock
The college’s president, Dr Nicole Higgins, expressed concern, stating, 'The gap is the highest it’s ever been.'
This is especially troubling for our senior community, who often rely on frequent medical consultations to manage their health.
The report also highlighted a rise in longer consultations due to mental health presentations, with 71 per cent of GPs reporting mental health as a top reason for patient consults, a significant increase from 61 per cent in 2017.
This reflects a growing need for mental health support among Australians, a need that must be met with adequate resources and affordable care.
In response to these rising costs, the college advocated for a 20 per cent increase to all Medicare rebates for 20-minute and longer consults, with additional increases for rural and remote communities.
When Medicare was introduced 40 years ago, it covered 85 per cent of the cost of a GP visit.
Today, coverage has plummeted to 45 per cent, a decline attributed to successive governments' decade-long Medicare freeze and insufficient indexation, compounded by inflation in the health sector.
Despite the government tripling the bulk billing incentive for pensioners, children, and healthcare card holders, which led to one in four GPs bulk billing more consults, patients still need to pay more attention to their out-of-pocket expenses.
This is a reminder that while bulk billing can alleviate some costs, it is not a panacea for the financial burden of healthcare.
Encouragingly, the report did find some positive trends in the GP workforce.
In 2025, the college exceeded its recruitment targets for young doctors in rural and urban training programs, indicating a renewed interest in general practice.
This is a welcome development, as the GP workforce is aging.
Two out of five GPs indicate retirement plans within the next five years.
However, the report also illuminated the growing administrative workload for GPs, which increased from 60 per cent in 2023 to 70 per cent in 2024.
This administrative burden is why GPs are considering leaving the profession soon.
Furthermore, the report called for an overhaul of the My Health Record system, which was criticised for its incomplete records and poor usability.
Nearly one-third of GPs rarely or never use electronic medical records, suggesting a need for a more efficient health data system that could save billions and reduce patients' out-of-pocket costs.
Dr Christopher Harrison from the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health emphasised the importance of bulk billing in ensuring an efficient and accessible healthcare system.
‘Bulk billing removes financial barriers that may push patients to delay care or to seek it from an emergency department, which costs the system far more,’ he said.
‘The increases to the bulk-billing incentive items payments were a step in the right direction. These results support other evidence that they have made a difference.’
‘However, more needs to be done to incentivise the bulk billing of people of working age who are not covered by the current incentive items.’
According to a report from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the percentage of GPs who bulk bill all their patients has dropped by half over the past year.
The report also highlighted a decline in GP job satisfaction, with overall satisfaction falling from 70 per cent in 2022 to 66 per cent in 2023. You can read more about it here.
