The Importance of Fair Incentives in Medicare: The Case for 'abcd of medicare'

The recent changes to Medicare's bulk billing incentives have sparked controversy among doctors nationwide. According to figures from Medicare, a GP clinic will receive about $191 if the doctor sees a patient with a complicated physical health problem for an hour and they are bulk billed. This payment is in addition to the Medicare rebate GP clinics receive.

However, the government's $3.5 billion investment excluded appointments for mental health and antenatal care - the bulk of which were taken on by female GPs, according to data collected by the RACGP. As a result, a clinic is paid a bonus of about $24 - about $20 of which is passed on to the doctor - for every patient a physician bulk bills.

The lack of incentives for mental health and antenatal care has widened the gap in Medicare payments for various appointments, exacerbating the gender pay disparity among doctors. Dr. Price, the immediate past president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), argues that this is unfair and penalizes GPs who provide quality service for complex issues.

In an interview, Dr. Price shared her personal experience of leaving a practice due to financial difficulties caused by the lack of incentives. She explained that doctors face financial consequences for time-intensive appointments, which can lead to earning less than their colleagues. This is particularly concerning for female GPs who are more likely to take on antenatal care and mental health appointments.

The 'abcd of medicare' refers to the recent changes in GP incentivisation for bulk billing, which have resulted in a disparity in Medicare payments for various appointments. The government's investment has failed to address the issue, leaving many doctors struggling to maintain an income. It is essential that policymakers reconsider the incentives and ensure fair pay for all GPs, regardless of their specialty or gender.

Abcd of medicare