Incentives Slow Inevitable Decline In Bulk Billing Rates - AMA
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, said today that the rise in GP bulk billing rates is only a temporary pause in the inevitable decline that has been occurring over many years.
Dr Glasson said the rise is purely the result of the Government's $5.00 and $7.50 incentive payments, which will be consumed over the next couple of quarters by increasing medical practice costs and other factors associated with the medical workforce shortage.
"You cannot stop the decline in bulk billing simply by offering small incentives to bulk bill some patients in some areas of Australia," Dr Glasson said.
"This is the first full quarter to reflect the Government incentives and I believe these figures will be the peak.
"There may be another small rise and then a flattening out before they drop off again.
"The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is too low and it is inadequately indexed. It does not reflect the real cost of providing quality primary care.
"The Government incentives are a form of compulsion for doctors to bulk bill and they are not available to assist all patients.
"In the absence of a commitment to substantially increase MBS rebates for all patients, no matter where they live, the Government's Medicare Safety Net is a more effective way to ensure equitable access to health services than inadequate short-term financial props for the bulk billing rate," Dr Glasson said.
27 August 2004
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