Goodbye To Bulk Billing?

GPs are warning that Australians may soon no longer be able to rely on the Medicare bulk-billing system.

Following Labour’s pausing of the Medicare rebate in 2013, many practices have been left on the verge of collapse as the country experiences inflation and a higher cost of living. According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, health inflation has averaged 4.8% over the past decade.

Without an increase in Medicare funding, many GPs say it’s likely patients will be paying out-of-pocket to access medical services.

Image: Image: Shutterstock: ArliftAtoz2205

Produced By: Ella McGuire

Featured In Story: Dr Umair Masood, Vice President of the Australian Society of General Practice, and Professor Karen Price, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 16 August 2022