The Hunter region’s GPs are warning the Federal government’s changes to Medicare rebates will make many local practices unviable.
The Hunter General Practitioners Association last night hosted a meeting to discuss Tony Abbott’s revised health care policy, including an optional $5 co-payment.
Association chairman Dr Tony Isaac said more than 100 local GPs were at last night’s meeting.
He said some modelling shows local GPs could be $50,000 out of pocket each year.
“The cuts are so deep that practices are going to be put in an unviable situation if they continue to bulk bill,” he said.
“Practices will be forced to privately charge everyone, regardless of whether they have a concession card holder or not, because the rebates are just so low that they just don’t meet the cost of running the practices.”