Bulk-Billed Medicare Services Increase: March Quarter Results
Figures issued on 15 May show an increase in the percentage of Medicare services bulk-billed in the March quarter 2009.
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15 May 2009
In the March quarter 2009, 79.4 per cent of non-referred (GP) attendances were bulk billed, up 0.4 of a percentage point on the December quarter 2008 and up 0.9 of a percentage point on the March quarter 2008.
In the March quarter 2009, a record 74.8 per cent of all Medicare services were bulk billed, up 1.0 percentage point on the December quarter 2008 and up 1.1 percentage points on the March quarter 2008.
Bulk billing rates were at record levels in the March quarter 2009 for the following type of services:
- non-referred (GP) attendances for persons under 16 years (86.7 per cent)
- non-referred (GP) attendances for persons 65 years of age and over (88.9 per cent)
- non-referred (GP) attendances in rural and remote areas (75.9 per cent)
- all Medicare services for all persons (74.8 per cent)
- all Medicare services for persons 65 years of age and over (76.8 per cent)
- diagnostic imaging (66.6 per cent)
- assisted reproductive services (24.7 per cent)
- allied health services (introduced into the MBS from 1 July 2004 – 58.9 per cent)
- the Dental Benefits Schedule (68.1 per cent).
The bulk billing rate for all non-referred (GP) attendances reached its highest point since the June quarter 1999.
Statistics for GP attendances in the March quarter 2009, compared with the December quarter 2008, show:
- NSW up 0.3 of a percentage point to 84.8 per cent
- Victoria up 0.4 of a percentage point to 77.7 per cent
- Queensland up 0.6 of a percentage point to 77.5 per cent
- South Australia up 0.3 of a percentage point to 79.7 per cent
- Western Australia down 0.1 of a percentage point to 72.3 per cent
- Tasmania down 0.2 of a percentage point to 73.4 per cent
- Northern Territory up 0.6 of a percentage point to 62.5 per cent
- ACT up 1.3 percentage points to 51.9 per cent.
A total of $3.5 billion was paid in benefits for 73.0 million services during the March quarter 2009 – equal to about $160 in benefits for every Australian, or about 3.4 services each.
In the nine months ending March 2008-09, Medicare Australia processed claims for 219.2 million services, involving benefits of $10.6 billion.
Bulk billing for GP attendances in the March quarter 2009, compared with the March quarter 2008, show:
- NSW up 0.7 of a percentage point to 84.8 per cent
- Victoria up 1.3 percentage points to 77.7 per cent
- Queensland up 1.3 percentage points to 77.5 per cent
- South Australia up 1.0 percentage point to 79.7 per cent
- Western Australia up 0.5 of a percentage point to 72.3 per cent
- Tasmania up 0.1 of a percentage point to 73.4 per cent
- Northern Territory down 0.4 of a percentage point to 62.5 per cent
- ACT down 0.3 of a percentage point to 51.9 per cent.
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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