Bulk billing lift won't last - AMA
AMA Vice-President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, said today that the slight increase in the March 2004 quarter GP bulk billing figures won't last and predicts that GP bulk billing rates would decline again once the Medicare Plus sweeteners were swallowed up by increased costs.
"I expect the bulk billing rate to increase for at least the next two quarters, then level off before decreasing again," Dr Haikerwal said.
"Medicare has simply not kept pace with the costs of providing general practice services.
"In real terms, the Medicare patient rebate is around half the true cost of providing a standard GP consultation.
"There is a shortage of GPs right across the country because the profession is no longer an attractive option for medical graduates who are shunning GP training as a career option.
"Doctors recognise their value and the costs of providing high quality health care and are charging gaps so they can stay in general practice. Medicare rebates are increasingly irrelevant. When the rebates get close to the true cost of providing a service, the gaps will get smaller.
"Medicare Plus incentives and rebates have helped some patients, but these short term measures will very soon lose their effectiveness as they are worn away by inflation and inappropriate indexation.
"The safety net is having an impact on access to services, the retention of doctors and minimising patients' out of pocket costs.
"But the costs of general practice continue to rise and GPs continue to drop out of the system altogether or to go part-time.
"The Government must look at more effective long-term structural changes to help GPs practise in their communities. They must get serious about slashing red tape. The Budget was a missed opportunity as far as this is concerned.
"The AMA urges the Government to adopt the recommendation of the Attendance Item Restructure Working Group (AIRWG) for a new 7-tier GP consultation item structure.
The 7-tier item recognises and rewards longer quality consultations by GPs.
"Patients would receive better quality care and GPs would stay in practice - a much better solution than a short term mercy mission on bulk billing statistics.
"The debate must be about access and affordability for all patients, not bulk billing for some."
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761