Medical centres operator Primary Health Care is confident of lifting its earnings this financial year, and says a federal government plan for Medicare co-payments could create more business opportunities.
Primary Health’s full year profit rose eight per cent to $162.5 million in 2013/14, and the group expects underlying earnings to rise between five and 12 per cent this financial year.
Primary says the possible introduction of a co-payment for some patients when they visit their doctor could impact some smaller GP practices across Australia, potentially creating opportunities for the company.
“It is not possible to predict with certainty whether a co-payment will be introduced and, if so, the consequences, but the greater efficiency of large-scale centres such as Primary’s should assist Primary to adapt to any changes,” the company said as it released its earnings results on Wednesday.