Impact of Bulk-Billing Rates on Families
Recent data indicates a concerning trend for adults without concession cards who are struggling to access bulk-billed GP services. In 2023, there was a noticeable decrease in the availability of bulk-billing GPs for this demographic.
While this information sheds light on the challenges faced by some adults, it fails to capture the primary users of GP services, namely children and concession-card holders, as highlighted by experts.
Looking ahead, the federal government has implemented a policy since last November aimed at enhancing bulk-billing rates, signaling a step towards addressing this issue.
Michelle Ryan, a chronic illness sufferer, faced financial strain when her GP decided to stop bulk-billing. Dealing with psoriatic arthritis and requiring frequent medical attention due to her immune-weakening medication, she expressed the difficulties of suddenly having to pay $64 per GP visit.
The survey data reveals a growing challenge for individuals like Ms. Ryan in locating bulk-billing GPs. Cleanbill’s survey, conducted across 6,000 clinics nationwide, found a decline in the percentage of clinics offering bulk-billing to new adult patients without concession cards.
Across Australia, a significant 87% of electorates experienced a reduction in clinics providing bulk-billed services to this specific group, indicating a widespread impact on families seeking affordable healthcare.
Impact of Bulk-Billing Rates on Families
New findings indicate that locating a GP who offers bulk-billing services is increasingly challenging. According to Cleanbill’s recent report, the number of electorates without GP clinics that bulk-bill new non-concessional patients has risen from four to nine since the beginning of 2023.
The report highlights that only nine electorates in Western Sydney have over 75% of GP clinics that provide bulk-billing for this patient group. Shockingly, in certain areas, there has been a significant decline of up to 48.5% in the proportion of GPs offering bulk-billing to these patients.
Despite these concerning statistics, both experts and the federal government caution that Cleanbill’s data may not offer a complete overview of bulk-billing rates across Australia.
Exploring the Impact of Bulk-Billing Rates on Families
Cleanbill’s recent survey delved into the realm of adult patients without concession cards who are in search of a standard consultation at a GP open to new patients.
It’s important to note that the survey did not encompass children or concession card holders, such as pensioners, individuals with disabilities, and low-income earners.
Furthermore, the data did not consider GPs who may offer bulk-billing to their existing patients, regardless of their capacity to take on new ones.
Upon reviewing the data for the ABC, Health Systems and Policy Professor Kees Van Gool highlighted that while Cleanbill’s findings shed light on bulk-billing rates for certain Australians, a significant portion of patients were not taken into account.
Professor Van Gool emphasized, “Concession card holders heavily utilize primary care services and submit more claims compared to non-holders. This is primarily due to the higher demand for GP services among the elderly, who constitute a substantial portion of concession card holders.”
### Impact of Bulk-Billing Rates on Families
Medicare data indicates that the increase in bulk-billing incentive fees by the federal government has contributed to a slowdown in the decline of bulk-billing, especially in regional areas. According to Anthony Scott, a professor at the Centre for Health Economics at Monash University, the data analyzed by Cleanbill, although limited, is considered reliable.
Scott mentioned that the factors influencing bulk-billing for patients known to doctors or those with lower incomes are multifaceted. Cleanbill’s founder, James Gillespie, clarified that the data does not represent bulk-billing rates for all patients but rather focuses on the services available to an average adult without concessions.
Gillespie emphasized the importance of this data in providing insights into bulk-billing services accessible to the general population. This measurement is crucial in understanding the impact of bulk-billing rates on families.
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