The average out-of-pocket cost for a GP visit has risen by 4.1 per cent nationally over the past year, with patients in Tasmania, the ACT and NSW paying the most.
A new report shows the cost of GP visits is rising and the number of practices offering bulk billing is declining.Grattan Institute health program director Peter Breadon says GP funding must change in order to allow more flexibility when charging patients.Retired helicopter pilot and cattle station worker Allan Wembridge is no stranger to hard yakka, and the injuries that come with it.
"I'd like to go to the GP and just tell him, 'Righto it's time that I had a bit of an overhaul and had somebody look at me,'" Mr Wembridge said.It costs Mr Wembridge approximately $60 out of pocket to see his doctor south of the Murray River in Merbein.According to a national survey released by Cleanbill, an online GP directory, the average out-of-pocket cost for a GP visit has risen by 4.1 per cent nationally to $43.38 over the past year.
Only 20.7 per cent of clinics nationwide still offer bulk-billing to all patients, according to the report , down from 24.2 per cent in 2024.8.8 per cent of Australians nominated costs as their main reason for delaying or not seeing a GP when they needed toNow Mr Truong has to pay $62.15 out of pocket when he visits the GP.
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Michael Wright said "proper investment" in Medicare could increase bulk-billing, and reduce out-of-pocket costs, for people who weren't being bulk-billed."Today's patient rebates don't come close to the cost of care, so people are paying more out-of-pocket, and it's harder for GPs to bulk-bill.
In the press conference, Mr Butler said the Albanese government's decision to triple the bulk-billing incentive in 2023 had caused "bulk billing rates to start to climb again in every single state and territory across the federation".
Gp Health Health Care Medicine Rebate Medicare Cost Cost Of Living Inflation Bulk Billing Bulk Billed
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