GP fees a sore point as financial strain delays medical treatment

VICTORIANS are being stung an average of $34 out of their own pocket just to see a doctor, and the financial strain is leading to hundreds of thousands of people delaying ­treatment.

VICTORIANS are being stung an average of $34 out of their own pocket just to see a doctor.

And to see a specialist, Victorians have to dip in to pay an average $70.89 per visit.

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While bulk billing is on the rise so are out-of-pocket expenses, having increased for Victorian patients by $7.70 in just four years to see a GP and $21 for any form of specialist.

New Department of Health data released to the federal senate estimates committee shows five of the 10 most expensive electorates are in Victoria in the past year.

And consumer health experts said the financial strain led to hundreds of thousands of people delaying ­treatment.

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Minister for Health Greg Hunt. Picture: AAP

The federal government admitted there was work to be done to “drive down” private health insurance and out-of-pocket costs.

The blue-ribbon electorate of Higgins, which takes in the affluent inner-southeastern suburbs, was the highest in the state, with patients hit an average of $45.42 to see a GP and $82.06 for a specialist.

Next was Melbourne Ports, just south of the CBD, where patients paid $44.22 for a GP and $81.38 for a specialist.

Federal Labor health spokeswoman Catherine King said the figures showed Victorians were paying more than ever for health care.

Even in Maribyrnong — home to working-class Braybrook, St Albans and Sunshine — residents paid $35.15.

Federal Labor health spokeswoman Catherine King said the figures showed Victorians were paying more than ever for health care.

“Malcolm Turnbull went to the last election promising no one would pay more to see a GP — but these figures show that Victorians are paying more than ever,” she said.

Consumers Health Forum chief executive Leanne Wells said there was growing angst about medical costs.

“Out-of-pocket costs are a serious and worsening problem, particularly for those with private insurance who, having paid ever-rising premiums, then face heavy bills — often in the thousands of dollars for routine surgery,” she said.

But a spokesman for Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said bulk billing in Victoria was at a record 85 per cent.

He said $24 billion would be spent on Medicare this year and 5 million more GP services were free — compared to the last time Labor was in government. But he admitted medical costs must come down.

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