Almost two-thirds of Australians bulk-billed for all GP care amid extra incentives for doctors
Reported by The Guardian World, not nibnow. We are not the publisher of this story, only the source is.
The rise to 63% of Australians receiving fully bulk‑billed GP care means more people can see a doctor without out‑of‑pocket fees, but experts warn that cost alone doesn’t guarantee quality or health outcomes.
Exclusive: RACGP survey reflects Medicare investments, but experts caution quality of care and outcomes also matter Get our new political email, free app or daily news podcast The proportion of general practitioners bulk-billing all of their patients has more than doubled in a year, a report has found, after the government introduced financial incentives for doctors and practices. And almost two-thirds (63%) of Australians are now bulk-billed for all their GP care, up from 56% in both 2024 and 2
Bulk‑billing is a Medicare arrangement where doctors claim the full fee from the government, so patients pay nothing; the government recently added financial incentives to encourage doctors to bulk‑bill all patients.
- •Monitor any government assessment of the incentive program’s impact on care quality
- •Watch for statements from medical bodies about potential changes to bulk‑billing policies
- •Track whether the proportion of fully bulk‑billed patients continues to rise in upcoming Medicare reports