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The Cleanbill report’s authors said the findings “paint a concerning picture for healthcare accessibility in Australia”.
Source: SBS News
Government says bulk billing rates rising
The government attributed the increase to its tripling of Medicare bulk billing incentive payments in late 2023.
“Every state and territory now has more bulk billing, with the largest rise in some states which have historically struggled with lower rates of bulk billing.”
Paying more out-of-pocket
The rising cost of GP visits has meant that more Australians are turning away from making appointments.
Source: SBS News
Analysis from the Australian Bureau of Statistics found 8.8 per cent of people in 2023-24 reported not visiting the GP due to costs — up from 7 per cent in 2022-23.
“It’s kind of not good for anyone’s health, and it’s bad for taxpayers if patients aren’t able to get in to see their GP if it’s not affordable and accessible,” he said.
Bulk billing incentives
In 2023, patients living in very remote areas who weren’t bulk billed paid an average of $49 in out-of-pocket costs, compared to those in major cities who paid an average of $43.
GPs call for rebate increase
“This cost of living crisis has affected most people through Australia and GPs, of course, aren’t exempted from that,” he said.
Wright said Medicare rebates should be increased for all patients but particularly for longer consultations “which is where the chronic and complex care happens, so that we can bulk bill more of those appointments and also reduce the out-of-pocket costs for people who aren’t being bulk billed”.
In June, the NSW government launched a new incentive that provides an ongoing rebate to GPs who meet a bulk billing threshold of 80 per cent of services in Sydney and 70 per cent in the rest of NSW.
