Recent data reveals a significant increase in bulk billed GP visits in Australia, driven by the Albanese Government’s policy changes. Since the bulk billing incentive was tripled, over two million additional bulk billed visits have occurred, including nearly one million free visits in May alone.
Additionally, five million Australians have saved more than $414 million on medication costs due to the government’s cheaper medicines policies. These policies include landmark 60-day prescription reforms and the most substantial reduction in the maximum patient copayment in the 75-year history of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The Albanese Government recently delivered the second-largest increase in Medicare rebates in 30 years, providing an additional $900 million in Medicare funding. This follows last year’s $940 million increase, marking the largest rise in three decades. In just two years, the current government has doubled the Medicare rebate increases achieved by the previous government during their nine-year tenure.
Official Medicare billing data over the past seven months indicates a positive shift in GP bulk billing rates after a decade of decline under the previous administration. The GP bulk billing rate was 79.0% in May, a 3.4% increase since the new incentives took effect on November 1. This rise resulted in over 915,000 additional fully bulk billed GP visits in May, offering significant financial relief to Australian households.
Australians in regional and rural areas experienced the most substantial increases, with an estimated 900,000 additional bulk billed visits since the incentives were introduced. Families with children under 16, pensioners, and other concession cardholders are finding it easier to access bulk billing doctors. These groups account for more than 60% of GP visits on average.
Doctors in major cities now receive a 34% increase in Medicare payments for bulk billing standard consultations for these patients. In regional and rural Australia, this increase is approximately 50%.
The GP bulk billing rate measures the proportion of all GP visits under Medicare that require no patient payment.
“Doctors’ groups have called our tripling of the bulk billing incentive a ‘game changer’ – and close to one million additional free visits to the GP in May prove that it is one,” said Minister Butler.
“After a decade of cuts and neglect to Medicare by the Liberals, bulk billing was in freefall. The pressure on general practice began when Peter Dutton was Health Minister, attempting to eliminate bulk billing by introducing a fee for every GP visit and initiating a six-year freeze on Medicare rebates.”
Minister Butler emphasized, “The Albanese Government committed to making it easier for people to see a bulk billing doctor – and that is exactly what is happening nationwide, particularly in rural and regional Australia.”
“This is a win all around – for patients, doctors, and the health system – and it is helping make Medicare stronger.”
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