Patients across the country are sharing horror stories of huge payments when they visit a GP, as the country’s bulk billing system comes close to collapse amid rapidly rising costs of managing ‘a general query.
The crisis has prompted a warning from the head of the country’s biggest GP organization that some patients may be forced to delay treatment and end up worsening their conditions as bulk billing rates plummet.
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Some GPs have already closed their doors as the current funding model becomes unsustainable, while others have been forced to pass on fees to their patients.
As the situation worsens, many are coming forward and expressing concern for those who cannot afford such high upfront fees.
Many have taken to social media to share their stories of how much they were charged for consultations.
A Reddit user posted his experience on the platform last week, claiming he was charged a whopping $80 for his 43-second telehealth consultation with his GP.
The user said they needed to repeat their usual script, but were surprised to find out how far the phone call set them back.
Although they are still expected to receive a discount for the consultation, their calculations say the gap would still be significant.
“I love the convenience, but shit, this is expensive,” they said.
Although telehealth appointments became a valuable resource during the lockdown, many are wondering why the fees for the service seem to be so high.
Australians across the country are sharing horror stories about their crazy payments when they visit a GP. Stock image. Credit: Maskot/Getty Images/Mascot
Sydney woman Chelsea, who preferred not to use her surname for privacy reasons, told 7NEWS.com.au she was shocked to discover her GP was charging a $50 cover charge for the service .
“I asked what the fee covered and he said it was for new patients, but he couldn’t tell me more about that,” Chelsea said.
“And that fee was added to the $80 the actual phone call cost me.”
“It makes me want to not seek medical help so I can save money.”
Others say that while they will receive a discount for such consultations, the large initial fee is one that many cannot afford.
“My daughter had a bad cough. I couldn’t go to the GP in person because of the respiratory symptoms. It cost $90 for a three minute phone call, ouch!” posted one Twitter user.
“I really need to go to the GP but there isn’t one near me, this bulk bill and I don’t have the money to be able to pay the $98,” added another.
“I never thought going to the doctor would be so difficult in Australia.”
Bulk billing rates drop
It comes as the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has warned that general medical care urgently requires greater investment so that no patient is left behind.
New data from hundreds of Australia’s largest medical centers has revealed the percentage of consultations billed in bulk has fallen to an average of 61%.
This is a 12% decrease from just two years ago.
RACGP president Dr Karen Price said the findings were further proof that mainstream medical care needed greater support.
“Unless greater investment is made in general medical care, more and more practices will have no choice but to pass the cost on to patients,” he said.
“This can lead to patients delaying or avoiding GP appointments and their health deteriorating to the point where they end up in a hospital bed.”
Meanwhile, Primary Care Business Council director Jeremy Stones told 7NEWS.com.au the situation was only getting worse.
“It’s picked up pace,” he said.
“The costs of running general practice (nursing and administration and insurance and rent) have risen rapidly far beyond general inflation and far beyond government funding.
“Now we’re starting to see practices that say, ‘When the leases are up, we close the doors.'”
7NEWS.com.au has contacted the Australian Medical Association (AMA) for further comment.
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