A LAUNCESTON doctor says a $20 cut to the rebate for short general practice visits will threaten bulk-billing, particularly for children and the elderly.
Under changes introduced by the federal government just before Christmas, from January 19 Medicare will cut $20.10 from the rebate for GP appointments lasting six to 10 minutes.
Summerdale Medical Centre GP Donald Rose, who is also state secretary of the Australian Medical Association, said GPs would either have to bulk bill and absorb the cost, or pass it on to patients.
“The bulk-billing rate will have to fall for practices to remain viable, and the out-of-pocket cost will rise for patients because you still have to pay a cost,” Dr Rose said.
Dr Rose said children and aged care residents who usually only needed quick checkups, but were often bulk billed, would suffer.
He said he didn’t think many GPs would be prepared for the change by January 19.
“It’s going to be chaos initially and everybody’s going to be doing different things, but as the months unfold I guess that some practices might not be viable, and may have to shut,” Dr Rose said.
He said he knew a few doctors had decided to bring their retirement forward because they didn’t want to deal with the change.
Federal health minister Sussan Ley said the changes more accurately reflected the time a doctor spent with a patient, and encouraged longer GP consultations for better health outcomes over “six minute medicine”.
“The majority of GP consultations in Australia already last over 10 minutes and will therefore be unaffected,” Ms Ley said.
“Bulk billing will also remain free for patients.”
AMA state president Tim Greenaway said the association was planning a large protest for February, and would speak with Senate crossbenchers.
Source: Examiner