Medicare Bulk Billing Reaches Record High
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29 August 2008
In the June quarter, 73.9 per cent of all Medicare services were bulk billed – a record high.
This was a 0.2 percentage point increase on the previous (March) quarter of 2008.
This increase was mainly due to a rise to 79.1 per cent of all non-referred (GP) attendances being bulk billed. This was 0.6 of a percentage point more than this year’s March quarter and 0.9 of a percentage point higher than in the June quarter of 2007.
Bulk billing increased slightly in all states and territories except the ACT.
Bulk billing for GP attendances in the June quarter 2008, compared with the March quarter 2008, show:
- NSW up 0.4 of a percentage point to 84.5 per cent
- Victoria up 0.5 of a percentage point to 76.9 per cent
- Queensland up 1.1 percentage points to 77.3 per cent
- South Australia up 0.4 of a percentage point to 79.1 per cent
- Western Australia up 1.6 percentage points to 73.4 per cent
- Tasmania up 0.6 of a percentage point to 73.9 per cent
- Northern Territory up 1.0 percentage point to 63.9 per cent
- ACT down 0.8 of a percentage point to 51.4 per cent.
In the 12 months ending June 2008, Medicare Australia processed claims for 278.7 million services involving benefits of $13 billion.
Full details of the statistics may be found at
www.health.gov.au/medicarestats
Media inquiries only: Sean Kelly – 0417 108 362
For all other inquiries please contact the Minister's office – 02 6277 7220
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