Shocking state of Medicare revealed

Over 50 per cent of general practices across the country are charging patients out-of-pocket fees, with Aussies paying a minimum of $40 per visit, according to healthcare directory CleanBill. Founder of CleanBill James Gillespie told 9 News bulk-billing is the cornerstone of Australia’s healthcare system. “When we lose bulk-billing among the majority of GPs then we lose universal healthcare,” he said.The Australian Capital Territory is worst off with only five per cent of GPs offering bulk billing services. ACT patients also pay the most for a standard 15 minute doctor’s visit at $49 – in addition to the $39.75 Medicare rebate that’s paid to the clinic. Despite only 27 per cent of clinics in Adelaide offering bulk-billing, the state offers patients the most affordable price of $34 per doctor’s visit. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said earlier this month that primary care had suffered after “nine years of cuts and neglect”. “Primary care is in its worst shape since Medicare began. Across the country we hear stories of Australians not being able to get in to see a bulk-billing doctor, or GPs changing from bulk billing to mixed billing,” he said.In Brisbane and Perth, only 29 per cent of clinics offered bulk billing, with prices ranging from $38-$39 for a standard 15 minute consultation. The area with the highest amount of doctors offering bulk billing was Greater Sydney, coming in at 67.3 per cent. Sydney patients can expect to pay out-of-pocket $42 per doctor’s visit.Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Dr Nicole Higgins told the Herald Sun clinics “can’t keep the doors open if you bulk bill.” “The rates of bulk billing will continue to decrease and we’re now hitting a critical threshold where I expect that they will decrease exponentially,” she said.“It’s like asking your plumber or hairdresser to take a 50 per cent discount on what they do.”Dr Higgins criticised federal government for directing funding to hospitals, which inturn suffer the consequences of strained primary care. “We’re seeing increased ramping, increased waiting times and the budgets are blowing out,” she said. “The federal government has been pouring more and more money into the state hospital systems, instead of investing at the grassroots in general practice.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au