Almost 90pc of GP appointments don’t cost anything, Medicare figures show

THE number of Australian patients seeing their doctor without paying a cent has reached another record high, with almost nine out of ten GP appointments now bulk-billed.

THE number of Australian patients visiting their doctor without paying a cent has reached a record high.

Almost nine in 10 GP appointments are now bulk billed, figures show.

Medicare statistics show GP bulk-billing numbers rose to 86.1 per cent nationally, and 85.4 per cent in Victoria — the highest rates ever.

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Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says bulk billing is 4 per cent higher than when Labor was in office.

In 2017-18, another 1.3 million Victorians, and 7.2 million patients across the country, visited their doctor but were not required to pay anything.

The new numbers come amid concern over the gap fees for other medical services, as half of all patients pay out-of-pocket expenses every year on healthcare such as blood tests, scans and obstetrics.

The government will use the Medicare figures to head off any new “Mediscare” campaign by Labor.

The 2016 federal election was almost derailed when the Opposition falsely claimed the government planned to sell off Medicare.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said bulk-billing rates were now 4 per cent higher than when Labor was in office.

“The number of bulk-billed services increased in every state and territory for both total Medicare services and visits to the GP,” Mr Hunt said.

“Medicare funding is at record levels and the comprehensive data released Thursday shows more Australians are seeing their doctor without having to pay than ever before.

“Our commitment to Medicare is rock solid and we will continue to ensure Australian patients are supported more than ever.”

Meanwhile, a report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare will on Thursday reveal the gap fees paid by Australians for healthcare has reached almost $30 billion a year.

Half of all patients, or 10.9 million people, were charged fees for non-hospital Medicare services and the average person was $1195 out of pocket.

About 6.5 per cent of Australians delay seeing a GP, specialist, imaging or pathology service because of the cost.

But patients are less likely to delay using a medical service compared with five years ago.

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