Almost 30,000 patients told GP can no longer offer bulk billing

A Queensland GP clinic that bulk bills the majority of its 27,000 patients – many of whom are elderly or children – says it will have to stop the service as a state government payroll tax ruling comes into effect.

A Queensland GP clinic that bulk bills close to 80 per cent of its 27,000 patients says it will have no choice but to stop offering the service as the government’s new payroll tax ruling takes effect.

The vast majority of Hervey Bay’s Family First Medical’s patients are elderly people and children.

Practice manager Alissa Mahoney said being forced to pay tax for doctors who work as contractors meant every patient would soon be charged a fee to see the doctor.

“It’s going to leave a lot of vulnerable people without any health care at all,” she said.

“I can tell you right now that elderly people will not see a doctor, they would rather feed themselves or have electricity or die, because that is what this is going to happen, patients with a treatable condition will just let it go.”

Practice Manager Alissa Mahoney from Family First Medical Centre in Hervey Bay. Picture Cody Fox

The Sunday Mail revealed that out of pocket costs to patients could rise by 15 per cent with peak medical groups pleading with the state Government to rethink a new application of laws that mean they will now be slugged with payroll tax of 4.75 per cent of total billings.

Opposition spokesman for Treasury David Janetzki blasted the “ill-conceived tax grab”.

“It will drive up patient fees and emergency department presentations and drive down bulk-billing,” he said.

He stopped short of saying his government would offer an exemption but said if in power his government would not “blindside” Queenslanders with new taxes.

Jan Ting recently moved to Gladstone from Toowoomba and said she could wait days to see a doctor.

“We are not a remote area nor are we a small town but we have found since arriving here that if we are not able to pay a $90 fee to see a doctor then we don’t get to see a doctor,” she said.

“As pensioners that can be a difficult thing to do.”

Annya Cowan said her health has declined as it becomes harder an harder to see her GP.

“I required an emergency appointment last year and I called 87 times trying to fight to get through by the time I got through the appointments were gone,” she said.

“I was thankful that I had an understanding receptionist who requested for a doctor to ‘fit me in and they did but I honestly was sobbing by the time I got through.”

Opposition spokesman for Treasury David Janetski says patient fees and emergency department visits will increase. Picture: Tara Croser.

Health Consumers Queensland CEO Melissa Fox said experiences like the above were a “symptom of a broken system”.

“Out of pocket costs make many forms of healthcare inaccessible to consumers, whether it’s dentistry, whether it’s scans, medications or seeing a GP, access isn’t equitable, and it’s not affordable and Queenslanders’ wellbeing is suffering because of that.”

The Palaszczuk Government has so far batted away the issue with Mark Bailey labelling the claims from doctors as nothing more than a “beat up”, while acting Treasurer Stirling Hinchliffe said offering a tax exemption would unfairly disadvantage other taxpayers.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler plans to meet with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners this week about the looming crisis.

Meanwhile, Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland president Chris Owen has rubbished claims by the state’s doctors that a payroll tax exemption would help support struggling GPs.

“Everyone acknowledges that patients need more options when it comes to primary healthcare due to the GP crisis — and the inability to get an appointment in a timely manner — exemptions in payroll tax will not free up any GP appointments,” he said.