Bulk Billing at Seven Year Low
Bulk billing by general practitioners has dropped to its lowest level in seven years.
Figures obtained by the AMA from the Health Insurance Commission show GP attendances that were bulk billed fell from 79.3 per cent (Sept 1999 quarter) to 78.3 per cent (Sept 2000 quarter) - their lowest rate in seven years.
AMA Federal President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said doctors had been forced to bulk bill fewer services because the Medical Benefits Schedule was grossly outdated and underfunded - meaning that fees under the MBS had fallen far behind the costs of providing medical treatment.
Dr Phelps said the latest percentage drop was equivalent to one million fewer GP treatments being bulk billed.
"As the AMA predicted earlier this year bulk billing rates have dropped due to growing disillusionment amongst GPs trying to maintain the viability of their practices.
"Those who continue to bulk bill are accepting a massive discount and finding it increasingly difficult to spend time with patients," she said.
"People who most need the safety net - patients who cannot afford to pay for their own health care - will be the most disadvantaged as bulk billing continues to decline."
Dr Phelps said the average cost of running a general practice - including costs of rental of premises, staff, equipment etc - had increased at a rate far in excess of the pathetic increases in the Medical Benefits Schedule during the past 10 years.
"The MBS hasn't even increased at the rate of inflation," Dr Phelps said.
"Government cannot pay lip service to supporting Medicare unless it is prepared to honour the results of the Relative Value Study, due to be reported this week," she said.