The Australian government is reporting a significant increase in bulk-billing rates for GP visits, thanks to new incentives introduced last year, with over a million extra bulk-billed doctor visits since November.
The background: Bulk-billing rates have risen across all Australian states and territories, reflecting the success of government incentives designed to make healthcare more accessible.
Key quote: “Doctors’ groups have called our tripling of the bulk billing incentive a ‘game changer’ – and clearly it is,” said federal health minister Mark Butler.
What else to know: Bulk-billing rates increased by 3.4 per cent to 79 per cent in May.
Medicare payments for bulk-billed standard consults have increased by 34 per cent in major cities and 50 per cent in rural areas.
Doctors are bulk billing more patients across the country following the introduction of incentives. Source: AAP / Dave Hunt
Tasmania and the ACT saw the largest rate increases, with 8.1 per cent and 5.5 per cent respectively.
NSW has the highest bulk-billing rate at over 80 per cent, while the ACT has the lowest at 57 per cent.
The government says that families with children under 16, pensioners and other concession cardholders are finding it easier to see bulk-billing doctors.
Source Agencies
