Higher Medicare Rebates for Some Why Not for All?
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, said today that the Government should increase the Medicare rebate for all patients instead of providing incentives for some patients to be bulk billed.
Dr Glasson said the AMA welcomes the fact that an extra $24 million is being put into the health system but remains totally opposed to geographically-based incentives that depend on a patient being bulk billed.
"The AMA has consistently called for a significant increase in the Medicare patient rebate for all patients, no matter where they live," Dr Glasson said.
"A person's health is not dictated by their postcode or their electorate.
"The Medicare rebate relates to the patient and the level of quality care they receive, not where the service was provided.
"The true value of a standard GP consultation is around $52.00, but the Medicare patient rebate is still just $25.70.
"I welcome the Government's admission that the MBS patient rebate is totally inadequate and I welcome their recognition of the impact of the doctor shortages on many communities.
"But a broader long-term solution for all patients is needed.
"As the cost of providing quality general practice continues to rise, any patient benefits stemming from the $7.50 incentive in certain areas will be eroded very quickly.
"The AMA strongly recommends the Government invests strongly in the MBS to provide higher properly-indexed rebates for all patients.
"We recommend Medicare policies that are based on individual patient needs, not geography.
"And we urge an end to the fixation on bulk billing and short term mechanisms to bribe doctors to bulk bill.
"The focus must be on quality, access, affordability and choice," Dr Glasson said.
Dr Glasson said the Government's claim that individual GPs stand to gain around $21,500 each from the bulk billing incentives is totally misleading.
A recent Medical Observer poll on the original incentive found only around 15 per cent of GPs would come close to earning the Government's then estimate of $15,000 or more.
Most GPs expected to earn around a third of that amount. And then they would have to deduct administration, staff and practice costs.
"But perhaps the most telling statistic from that poll is that only six per cent of doctors have recommenced bulk billing for concession card holders and children under 16 since the incentive was introduced in February," Dr Glasson said.
"The bulk billing link is a furphy.
"We need more comprehensive reform of the MBS if we are going to see long term improvements in access and affordability of quality GP services for all patients," Dr Glasson said.
16 August 2004
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John Flannery: (02) 6270 5477/(0419) 494 761