Bulk Billing Rates at Record Highs
Bulk billing rates reached a record high in the March quarter, with 81.2% of GP services bulk billed.
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24 May 2012
Bulk billing rates reached a record high in the March quarter, with 81.2% of GP services bulk billed.
Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said the figure was in stark contrast to when Tony Abbott was health minister when bulk billing rates hit rock bottom at just 67%.
“While bulk billing rates can fluctuate, the Government is pleased to see they have been trending up for some years and are now at record highs,” said Ms Plibersek.
Ms Plibersek said in the March quarter bulk billing records were also set for pathology (88%), diagnostic imaging (74.1%), and radiation therapy (54.8%).
The percentage of all bulk billing services combined also set a record at 76.5%.
“These record rates were achieved after the Labor government invested in bulk billing incentive payments for diagnostic imaging services and pathology testing.”
Ms Plibersek said $4.3 billion was paid out in Medicare benefits in the quarter, up from $3.9 billion in the 2011 March quarter, an increase of 9.8%. This was in respect to 83.1 million services.
“This represents approximately 3.7 services and $192 in benefits for every Australian.”
Bulk billing is when your doctor bills Medicare directly, accepting the Medicare benefit as full payment for a service.
GP rates for states were 85.9% NSW (record), 80.8% VIC (record), 80.6% QLD, 80.6% SA (record), 72% WA, 74.6% TAS, 73.1% NT (record), 49.2% ACT.
For more information, please contact the Minister’s Office on 02 6277 7220
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