Medicare is set to undergo a massive overhaul, with a soaring number of suburbs without bulk billing GP clinics. The number of bulk billing GPs has fallen to a 10-year low, as Medicare is set to undergo a large-scale revamp. This means that a rapidly increasing number of suburb residents have limited access to affordable healthcare services.
Without bulk billing available, many patients are willing to forgo necessary medical treatment due to inflated costs associated with non-bulk billing GP services. In the long term, this could lead to an increased number of undiagnosed diseases or conditions and have significant implications for public health and wellbeing.
It’s been reported that the number of bulk billing GPs in Australia has fallen to a 10-year low. Bulk billing is a Medicare scheme that pays doctors a flat rate for providing consultations, and many have said they are abandoning it.
This news is concerning for those who rely on bulk billing services, as it means they may have to pay out of pocket for medical care. This could be especially difficult for those who are already struggling financially or don’t have access to private health insurance.
Fortunately, there are still some bulk billing options available in Queensland. Overall, the news of fewer bulk billing GPs is concerning for those who rely on this service.
