PDF printable version of Bulk Billing for Over-65s Hits Record Highs (PDF 25 KB)
13 February 2009
GP bulk-billing for over-65s reached record highs in the last quarter of 2008, with 88.5 per cent of Medicare services bulk-billed.
In addition, overall Medicare bulk-billing reached near-record highs, with 73.8 per cent of all Medicare services being bulk billed. The highest rate was 73.9 per cent, recorded in the June quarter of 2008.
The most recent overall bulk billing rate was up 0.6 of a percentage point on the September quarter 2008 and up 0.4 of a percentage point on the December quarter of 2007.
GP bulk-billing rose or stayed level in all States and Territories. Bulk billing figures for GP attendances in the December quarter 2008, compared with the September quarter 2008, show:
- NSW unchanged at 84.5 per cent
- Victoria up 1.1 percentage points to 77.3 per cent
- Queensland up 0.2 of a percentage point to 76.9 per cent
- South Australia up 1.0 percentage point to 79.4 per cent
- Western Australia up 0.6 of a percentage point to 72.4 per cent
- Tasmania up 0.8 of a percentage point to 73.6 per cent
- Northern Territory up 0.6 of a percentage point to 61.9 per cent
- ACT up 0.7 of a percentage point to 50.6 per cent.
A total of $3.6 billion was paid in benefits for 72.8 million services during the December quarter 2008 – which was about $167 in benefits for every Australian, or about 3.4 services each.
Of these, a total of 53.7 million Medicare services were bulk billed during this quarter and 21.7 million were GP attendances that were bulk billed – with 79.0 per cent of GP attendances overall being bulk billed.
In the 12 months ending December 2008, Medicare Australia processed claims for 286.2 million services, involving benefits of $13.7 billion.
Bulk billing for GP attendances in the December quarter 2008, compared with the December quarter 2007, show:
- NSW up 0.5 of a percentage point to 84.5 per cent
- Victoria up 1.2 percentage points to 77.3 per cent
- Queensland up 1.2 percentage points to 76.9 per cent
- South Australia up 1.3 percentage points to 79.4 per cent
- Western Australia up 0.1 of a percentage point to 72.4 per cent
- Tasmania up 0.6 of a percentage point to 73.6 per cent
- Northern Territory down 1.2 percentage points to 61.9 per cent
- ACT down 0.7 of a percentage point to 50.6 per cent.
To improve access to GP services, the Australian Government announced an increase in GP training places in November last year.
The Government is also reviewing the Medicare Benefits Schedule primary care items. This will help simplify the schedule, reduce red tape for doctors, and ensure more support is given to preventative health.
The review is being carried out alongside development of a National Primary Health Care Strategy.
Full details of the statistics are at
www.health.gov.au/medicarestats
For all media inquiries please contact the Minister's office – 02 6277 7220
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