Bulk Billing Rates "If You Fund Them, They Will Grow"

Dr Glasson said today's figures show clearly that bulk billing rates were starting to slow just as the value of the incentives introduced just a year ago started to lose their value.

While GP bulk billing increased by 0.3 percentage points in the December quarter, this was well down on the 1.1 percentage points increase in the previous quarter - with the second half of 2004 recording just 1.4 of the 5.9 percentage point increase over the whole year.

"The Government got all the bang out of its bulk billing buck in the first six months of last year," Dr Glasson said.

"The AMA predicted a sudden increase in bulk billing activity, especially in the areas with extra incentives, and then there would be a levelling off before another decline - and that's exactly what we are seeing.

"If there were no more incentives, there is no doubt that the bulk billing rates would flatten right out before beginning an inevitable decline.

"There will be sufficient incentive in the Government's 100% Medicare package, which took effect from 1 January - to keep some doctors interested in bulk billing and we may see some further modest increases in the next two quarters at least.

"The sensible thing about 100% Medicare is that there is no compulsion to bulk bill.

"In the meantime, general practice costs continue to rise, and this is exacerbated by the continuing GP shortages around the country.

"We urge the Government to concentrate on policies that will provide patients equitable access to affordable quality general practice, and build on the strong foundations of general practice.

'We need to see proper indexation of Medicare rebates and introduction of the 7-tier quality GP consultation item.

"Patients and their GPs want independence, quality, access, affordability and choice - IQAAC. The Government has got to stop ducking these issues," Dr Glasson said.