Medicare changes
There is a crisis facing general practice. On January 19, the Medicare rebate (or bulk-billed fee) for a six to 10-minute consultation will fall by $20 to $16.95. Compounding this will be a $5 reduction in all GP rebates as of July 1, and a freeze on rebate increases for the next four years.
The median age of GPs is around 60 and many will retire or reduce their hours over the next few years. The federal government’s changes are likely to be the catalyst for skilled practitioners to leave the profession prematurely. A large number of GP graduates will not elect to work full-time, as has traditionally been the case, thereby leading to a shortage of GP hours available. Also, with high HECS debts and reduced GP remuneration, more graduates will elect to enter specialties that have higher potential incomes.
Australia has been fortunate to have an excellent healthcare system. However, the prospect of having to wait several days to a week for a GP appointment is worrying for the individual and likely to lead to poorer health outcomes. General practice is a wonderful and privileged profession. I wonder whether the best times have passed.
Dr Tarquin Oehr, Richmond
More work, more delay, more expense
The cost to Medicare of caring for the health of Australians is going up. Perhaps we are providing better care. The insinuation, however, is that overpaid doctors are the problem and that GPs, in particular, will correct this by taking a fee cut. I could describe many inefficiencies in the delivery of healthcare that represent an opportunity to reduce costs. Let us begin with health administration, and Medicare in particular.
Last week it sent more than 20,000 duplicate refund cheques to doctors and patients, and has since put a “stop payment” on them. If we had been silly enough to not identify that the cheque was a duplicate and banked it, we would be the ones incurring a dishonour fee from the bank.
Our intern, who was a medical student until he graduated a few weeks ago, needed a Medicare Provider Number and Prescriber Number before he could actually do any work in the clinic. The paperwork had been submitted correctly, according to the information requested, but Medicare apparently also wanted a copy of his AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) certificate.We pursued the issue and now have his numbers. More work, more delay and more expense. This goes on all the time.
Dr Clyde Ronan, Yarrawonga Medical Clinic
It’s easy: just blame the ‘greedy’ doctors
Having been satisfied with the status quo for the last 30-odd years since I have been in general practice, the bean counters in the Health Department are now trying to make any financial gains they can to the detriment of the sick.
Take, for example, a child who has been up all night with an ear infection and a raging fever. His parents are worried and strung out from lack of sleep and anxiety.
In under 10minutes, I can take the history, undertake a comprehensive examination, make a diagnosis, prescribe medication, give general instructions about fluid intake and analgesia, provide a sickness certificate for the child and a carer’s certificate for the parents and, in general, bring relief to the family. In years gone by, pre-computers, this would have taken 15 to 20minutes. Is this not worth $37.50?
Medicare will become Mediocre-care. The sick will suffer more, physically, emotionally and financially. And somehow, they will blame those greedy doctors.
Dr Vince Galtieri, Strathmore
Does the government have a death wish? Why degrade our health system, the envy of much of the world?
Sandra Coulter, Brighton East
Well done, Joe. Now doctors and the sick will prop up your budget’s bottom line. Bring on the election.
Murray Stapleton, Darraweit Guim
Increase the Medicare levy a fraction of a per cent, but that would be too simple and fair.
Susie Allanson, East Melbourne
The government discouraging visits to GPs is like my mechanic telling me not to visit until my car loses a wheel while I’m driving.
Ian Bell, Fitzroy
Source: The Age