AUSTRALIAN Medical Association WA vice-president Dr Michael Gannon has called a Government recommendation to charge bulk-billed patients $5 to see their GPs a “silly-season proposal”.
The Commission of Audit, a body set up by the Federal Government to review a range of Commonwealth services, listed a “co-payment” option of $5 from bulk-billed patients in a bid to address overcrowded surgeries.
Pensioners and concession cardholders would be exempt from paying and families would be allowed 12 bulk-billed visits a year before being charged.
Federal Minister for Health Peter Dutton said the Government would consider recommendations made by the Commission and would respond early next year.
Mr Dutton said he would not comment on "speculation around what the Commission of Audit may or may not recommend".
But Dr Gannon called on the Government not to accept the proposal, arguing the measure could potentially dissuade patients from receiving the healthcare they need.
"We don’t want to see any measures that could discourage patients from seeing their GP,” Dr Gannon said.
“Contrary to popular belief, GP clinics are not being flooded by hypochondriacs – in fact many Australians don’t see their GP as often as they should.
“This silly-season proposal, if accepted, would affect all Australians, including patients in the Peel region, especially those who attend doctors who bulk bill.”
Dr Gannon said that rather than contemplating an extra fee, the Government should examine the costs of running a general practice and increase the current rebate paid to GPs.
“It is becoming increasingly unsustainable for doctors to keep bulk billing, as the gap between the rebate and the costs of running a practice continue widening,” he said.
“The Government must change the current rebate doctors receive in order to keep the high bulk billing rate GP services have maintained this year.”
Metceni Health GP Dr Carolyn Richards reinforced Dr Gannon’s view that bulk-billing was proving unviable.
“I think the Government would end up saving money if more GPs privately bill,” she said.
Dr Richards said she didn’t believe the introduction of a bulk-billing fee would deter patients from visiting their doctor “if they knew their GP”.
“The fee would affect the children of the people that are normally privately billed, people with kids age 6-14, that could end up paying,” she said.
