GPs’ proposal to boost Medicare for common illness

It’s one of the most common reasons for a GP appointment. See how Medicare would cover more of its cost under doctors’ new plans.

General practitioners asked to name the issues they treat the most have listed mental health more than any other condition or illness, a new survey has revealed.

It comes amid ongoing debate over rising out-of-pocket costs and has prompted calls from GPs to increase the Medicare payment for select mental health subsidies.

More than seven in ten doctors selected “psychological factors” when asked to choose the three most common reasons for a patient’s appointments, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners will reveal on Thursday.

No other condition came close and the statistics, from their upcoming Health of the Nation report, have reignited the college’s call for a 20 per cent increase to the Medicare rebate for GP mental health and longer consults.

There is ongoing debate over rising out-of-pocket costs to see a GP.

While mental health has been the top answer every year since the survey began, it has spiked in that time from 61 per cent in 2017 to this year’s 71 per cent.

This was the fourth year in a row that the figures – based on a survey of more than 3,000 doctors – failed to return to pre-pandemic levels, with numbers first jumping to 70 per cent in 2021 and remaining at that level ever since.

The gap between mental health and other conditions has also risen compared to 2017, with just six percentage points separating mental health (61 per cent) and the next most common answer, respiratory (55 per cent).

The gulf between first and second was significantly larger this year, with the next most commonly cited factor – musculoskeletal – well below 71 with a result of 37 per cent.

This was followed by respiratory and endocrine and metabolic reasons (34 per cent) and then women’s health at 31 per cent.

RACGP president Dr Nicole Higgins said GPs were on the “frontline of Australia’s mental health crisis” and “significantly concerned” patients, amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, were delaying getting help.

“We know one-in-five Australians delayed seeing a mental health professional due to costs last year, with significantly more delaying care for psychiatrists and psychologists, compared to GPs, according to ABS data,” she said.

“GPs from across Australia have told us they’re seeing more patients with multiple, complex health issues including mental health, and many can’t afford to see specialists or allied health professionals privately.”

She said Medicare needed to be rebuilt after “decades of underfunding” and a 20 per cent increase to the rebate for key GP appointments would help patients pay less out-of-pocket.

“We (GPs) do more mental health consults per year than any other speciality or clinician,” she said.

“The Government needs to do more to ensure all Australians can access affordable mental health care.

“It’s time for Labor to get serious about rebuilding Medicare and providing affordable general practice care.”

The Federal Government has continually defended their record on Medicare, pointing to increases including the bulk-billing incentive and blamed the previous Liberal government for ongoing issues.