GPs warn that a marginal pay rise could further accelerate the loss of doctors in rural and regional Australia.
Key points:
- GPs will receive an additional 65 cents for each standard patient consultation
- Medicare discount rose from $ 39.10 to $ 39.75, just 1.6%
- Doctors warn that the marginal increase in the risks of the viability of general practice
This month, the Medicare discount for a standard consultation increased from $ 39.10 to $ 39.75.
It meant that GPs would receive an additional 65 cents for each 20-minute appointment in bulk.
“GPs and doctors in general are used to being insulted by Medicare indexation,” said Dr Aniello Iannuzzi, who practiced in Coonabarabran in western NSW.
The 1.6% increase was well below the 5.1% inflation rate.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) said GPs had experienced an increase in rental costs, mortgages, buildings and health insurance, salaries and supplies in recent years.
“We welcome the increase, but it’s nowhere near the margin that will help us see a change in the GP workforce,” said RACGP rural president Dr. Michael Clements.
He said if the Medicare rebate had stayed in line with inflation since it was introduced, the rate would approach $ 80.
Learn more about the cost of living in Australia:
GP funding will reduce pressure on hospitals
The RACGP said the rebate was creating a false economy.
It costs the health care system $ 39.75 for people to see a GP, compared to an estimated $ 500 when they show up at the hospital emergency department if they couldn’t get an appointment with the doctor.
“If the government is taken seriously in reducing the cost of hospitals and emergency departments, it must improve funding for general practice so that GPs can keep patients out of the hospital.” , said Dr. Iannuzzi.
Dr. Clements says the discount does not reflect the cost of providing GP services. (ABC Far North: Holly Richardson)
In a statement, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler acknowledged the six-year freeze on the previous government’s Medicare rebates.
“Our doctors deserve more than our gratitude,” Butler said.
“The Albanian government is committed to strengthening Medicare and making it easier for Australians to see a GP.
“Our commitment to strengthening Medicare includes about $ 1 billion in additional investment to boost primary care.”
Patients could go unattended
To supplement their income, some GPs charge patients a gap fee, but not all people were able to pay.
“I couldn’t afford it with a pension,” Coonabarabran resident Crystal Harper said.
“I couldn’t keep up with my health treatments.”
Dr. Iannuzzi treats Ms. Harper, who says an increase in medical costs cannot be allowed. (ABC Central West: Hamish Cole)
Ms. Harper said people could delay or avoid medical treatment if doctors had to raise rates to make up for the insufficient Medicare discount.
“If you have several health issues, it can prevent people from going and having their health checked, even if it’s something that could be minor that could become something pretty serious,” he said.
“Little” incentive to stay in the profession
Medicare rebates were also blamed for the challenges in hiring and retaining GPs.
Now fewer medical students opt for general practice, with only 15 percent of graduates choosing specialization.
“There is no doubt that the low Medicare discount is one of the main reasons why young doctors do not choose general practice,” Dr. Iannuzzi said.
Dr. Clements agreed and warned that there were few incentives to stay in the profession.
“These really, really small increases in Medicare will really do nothing to help a practice stay open in a rural area, and there’s certainly no incentive right now to open a new practice in a rural area “, he said.