Is This the Start of the Bulk Billing Recession?

AMA President Dr Rosanna Capolingua said this is because the Government has failed to index the patient's Medicare rebate to keep up with the cost of living.

“Doctors and patients are shouldering the Government's failure to keep pace with the cost of delivering care,” Dr Capolingua said.

“The Medicare bulk billing rates went up when the Government invested in patient rebates in 2004. Up until now the bulk billing rates have been maintained.

“Increases in Medicare rebates have been substantially below inflation. In the absence of appropriate government indexation, we would expect that the bulk billing rate will continue to fall.

“This will mean that patients will face increased out of pocket costs when they need to see a doctor.  The Government has let them down at a time when the community is feeling the squeeze from the economic crisis.  For patients who are not bulk billed, the average patient contribution or gap has actually gone down by $1.55.  We know that doctors’ fees have not kept pace with average weekly earnings.

“Families, pensioners, self funded retirees, those who have chronic illness or disabilities, those who need lots of care, will be hit the hardest. Doctors have been trying to protect patients from out of pocket costs, but the Government has not.

“It is vital that the Government bolster patient rebates so that access tomedical care is maintained and average and lower income Australians haveaccess to the care they need and deserve.”