A multi-billion dollar deal to triple the bulk-billing incentive as part of almost $6 billion of new investments in the Medicare system took effect this week.
Assistant Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney, visited Sale Medical Centre on Wednesday to make the announcement.
“From today (November 1), clinics like Sale Medical Centre will be able to bulk bill more easily – bulk bill pensioners and young people and anyone that they think needs bulk billing because the bulk billing incentive from today will be tripled,” she said.
“We know how difficult it has been for GP clinics and primary health care clinics to bulk bill their patients because, over the last 10 years, there’s been no investment from the previous government into primary health care, and all that ends today.
“With over $6 billion going into this initiative, we know that clinics that are incredibly important to the local community, like this here in Sale, will be able to continue to bulk bill particularly older people and young people under 16.”
The incentive, an extra payment on top of the Medicare rebate, given to doctors every time they bulk bill pensioners, concession card holders, and children under the age of 16, aims to make bulk billing doctors more accessible for millions of Australians.
Costing $3.5 billion across five years, tripling the bulk-billing incentive is the largest investment in bulk billing in Medicare’s 40-year history.
This historic investment will make it easier for more than 11 million Australians to see a bulk-billed GP. In Gippsland, this includes 17,125 children and their families and 68,333 pensioners and concession cardholders.
“We’ve also increased the indexation for funding for clinics like this (Sale Medical Centre),” Ms Kearney said.
The indexation boost will see doctors in regional and rural Australia get about 50 per cent more for the same visit, taking the Medicare payment to between $72.80 and $81.10, depending on location.
“Regional clinics like here in Sale will have a 50 per cent increase in funding from the federal government towards the care they give their communities,” Ms Kearney said.
“That means that more GP clinics will be able to stay open, more primary healthcare clinics will be able to give the care they need to their communities.”
Previously announced in the federal budget as a response to falling bulk-billing rates, sweeping changes to Medicare, including new financial rewards tripling the incentives for GPs to bulk bill eligible patients, is a step in the right direction, according to independent general practitioner and Sale Medical Centre founder Dr Iain Nicolson.
“I think the biggest effect of this announcement is it will allow for the sustainability of general practice,” Dr Nicolson said.
“It’s a journey; it’s not going to be perfect on day one, but it’s a big step in the right direction, and I think over the course of the next year, as we see other parts roll in, there will be a substantial improvement in the sort of services we can offer, particularly in the country.”
The new incentives, as part of a $6 billion commitment to the Medicare system, will support practices and clinics, such as Sale Medical Centre, in the continued delivery of allied health care services.
Dr Nicolson, who has been a pillar of healthcare service in the region for more than 40 years, says these changes are a significant step towards enhancing access to healthcare for all.
“We are thrilled about these new Medicare initiatives,” Dr Nicolson said.
“By ensuring the viability of bulk billing, we can continue to care for our patients without any financial barriers.”
Both doctors and patients have welcomed the move.
In 2016, Helen Isitt’s life changed.
The Sale resident found a lump in her breast; the diagnosis, cancer.
“Over six months, I had four operations, and I ended up with chronic fatigue as a result,” Ms Isitt said.
“I also have type two diabetes and various other related issues.
“Without bulk billing, my life today could have been a lot different.
“Having access to Medicare and bulk billing not only saved my life when I was undergoing cancer treatment but also alleviated the financial burden and stress I faced at the time.”
Ms Isitt is now seven years cancer-free.
It is stories, people like Ms Isitt, that give weight to Health Minister Mark Butler’s labelling of bulk billing as the beating heart of Medicare.
“The tripling of the bulk billing incentive will help over 5 million children and their families, and more than 7 million pensioners and concession card holders to see a bulk billed GP,” Mr Butler said.
“Doctors’ groups have called this a ‘game-changer’, and GPs right around the country have said this will help them maintain and even shift back to bulk billing.”
Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh said no one should miss going to the doctor because of money.
“This funding will keep Medicare strong and GPs bulk billing those who need it most,” Mr McIntosh said.
While many have welcomed the almost $6 billion of new investments in the Medicare system, others are sceptical.
Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, sees the move as a band-aid solution.
“Access to GPs and other health services across Gippsland has become increasingly difficult with shortages of staff across the region,” Mr Chester said.
“There’s no guarantee that Labor’s bulk-billing initiative will make it cheaper or easier for many Gippslanders to see a doctor.
“Even the Federal Government has refused to put on the record whether this measure will actually increase bulk billing rates, which have dropped to their lowest levels in 10 years.”
On the same day the federal government’s Bulk Billing Incentive Payments for providers come into effect, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommended doctors raise their fees for a third time this year to keep pace with rising costs.
So, while healthcare is made more affordable for some, others will be hit with higher costs.
Mr Chester says what Gippsland’s healthcare system needs is increased education, communication and collaboration.
“Longer term, we need to see an increased commitment to supporting regional students to undertake careers in the health sector because we know they are more likely to practice in rural and regional communities,” Mr Chester said.
“The partnerships between local hospitals, clinics and community health providers with Federation University are a practical approach to improving access to health services across Gippsland.”
