Tuesday's federal budget included a $5.7 billion boost for general practice, but that's not all the budget had in store for primary health care. Let's take a look at everything that's been announced and what it could mean for you and your health.
abc.net.au/news/gps-bulk-billing-medicare-budget-measures-for-doctors-patients/102336916Tuesday's federal budget included a $5.7 billion boost for general practice, the centrepiece of which was tripling the incentive paid to doctors who bulk-bill certain patients.However that's not all the budget had in store for primary health care, so let's take a look at everything that's been announced and what it could mean for you and your health.
Tasmanian GP Eleanor Woolveridge says the increase in the bulk-billing incentive will make a difference to her clinic. That's important because it has become way more expensive than it used to be for a GP to see a patient.Clinics not only have to compete with other clinics to attract and retain doctors and other practice staff, they also need to pay a lot of money in rent, electricity, medical supplies, registrations, training, and insurance, and, as technology improves, they are also paying a lot to ensure their IT systems are relevant and secure. All of that adds up.
It means some GPs will still take a financial hit if they bulk-bill patients and not all will be able to afford to do so."For colleagues who have different models of practices [to mine], I fully understand why they're very disappointed," Dr Woolveridge said.When speaking to the ABC, Health Minister Mark Butler was a little more critical of GPs who don't provide free healthcare.
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