8 December, 2022
Breaking point
A lack of Medicare support means bulk-billing for private medical practices could end soon.
Along with medical practices across the country, Ochre Medical Centre in Oakey and Kingsthorpe is facing challenging economic circumstances.
A lack of government support provided for bulk-billing through Medicare and the increasing burden being placed on GPs to shoulder the economic impact of rising inflation.
Ochre Medical Centre Oakey and Kingsthorpe practice manager Tammy Dickeson says that the situation is especially tough for those working in private medical practices.
“They pay for their own super, insurance, training,” she said
“That’s all their own expense.”
Dr Damien Webb said he had come to the point where it was no longer possible for him to continue to offer bulk-bulling for most of his patients.
“We’re at a pivotal point where we’re facing a significant proportion of General Practice being non-viable,” he said.
“We’ve been running at really high levels of bulk-billing for years and there’s really no significant changes to Medicare.”
“Aged-pension won’t be affected, but I’ve decided to cut bulk-billing for other groups from February 1.”
“Our standard consult is $85, but Medicare only roughly covers around $39 of that.”
Dr Webb said the rate of change to the Medicare support had failed to keep up with inflation.
“There was a 30 cent increase in July. That’s equivalent to a cup of coffee per day,” he said.
“Do we continue down the current path, or change to adjust to the current system?”
Another challenge is the increased levels of stress placed on GPs, who are responsible for a patient’s overall wellbeing and don’t want to charge patient overtime for consults which include conversations about mental health and other issues.
In the November 30 edition of the Champion, departing registrar Rachel Middleton talked about her experience of working at the practice.
‘My consults would earnless overall because I like to listen to my patients, and didn’t want to charge them extra,” she said.
“I’m 32, have a 2-year old and a 5-year old and I’ve done nothing but medicine since I was 18,” she said.
“My husband who’s a carpenter earns a similar amount to me.”
Dr Middleton said she had talking to patients about mental health without the normal required qualifications due to a lack of support in town
“My patients can’t see a psychologist here because there isn’t one in Oakey or Kingsthorpe”, she said.
“You see a lot of mental health, here.
“As a female, you seem to be a more comforting presence.”
The below quote in particular is a reminder of the impact of economic pressures on GPs.
“You carefully select for patients who are less socially disadvantaged, when often they’re the person who needs care the most.”
