Bulk collapse in bulk billing
AMA Vice President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, said today that the September 2003 quarter GP bulk billing rate shows a significant drop of 1.1 percentage points (or 1.6 per cent) in just three months - down from 68.5 per cent to 67.4 per cent.
Dr Haikerwal said this drop translates to around one million fewer bulk billed GP consultations over a full year.
"These figures indicate that without radical Medicare reforms bulk billing in Australia is fast approaching its 'use by date'," Dr Haikerwal said.
"There is a big signal here for the Government and the Opposition as they prepare their Medicare policies for the next election.
"The focus must be on overall access and affordability of medical services for all Australians, not artificially and temporarily propping up the bulk billing rates.
"By ignoring the recommendation of the Relative Value Study (RVS) to significantly increase the Medicare patient rebate, the Government missed the opportunity to maintain any pretence of Medicare universality.
"The RVS and an across the board rebate increase have been ignored by both sides in their Medicare policies to date.
"The MBS patient rebate for a standard GP consultation is currently just $25.70. Based on RVS calculations to reflect the true cost of providing the service, the rebate should be $52.00.
"The inadequate Medicare patient rebate is causing ever-increasing patient gaps and is contributing to the widespread shortage of doctors around Australia.
"Intelligent and responsible Medicare policies may help to address the medical workforce crisis, but it's too late to save bulk billing," Dr Haikerwal said.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306