A Logan medical practice has taken to social media to defend a decision to stop bulk billing, claiming the government rebate is “no longer sustainable in Australia”.
Bismark Street Family Practice, which cares for some of Loganholme’s most vulnerable, are now charging private fees for all consultations in their surgery.
This means for private patients the gap is around $35-$36 for a standard consultation, while concession card holders are $21 out-of-pocket.
The practice, headed up by Dr Adebola Babatunde, posted a comment from an anonymous doctor from within their community to their Facebook page, claiming general practices around the country are at their “breaking point” and are “struggling to survive”.
The post claimed 15-minute appointments with a GP typically cost around $36; however, it should be closer to $80 to account for rising costs.
The anonymous doctor said Medicare rebates were not indexed at the same rate as the rise in cost of living, so GP practices could not maintain their overheads.
“GPs are private small business owners, just like your local independent retailer, your freelance artist, your tradie,” the shared post said.
“Every time your GP bulk-bills your consult, they take more than a 50% pay cut to what the AMA recommends they should charge.
“GPs have just been absorbing the difference for years, while slowly watching the profession erode under the strain.”
According to the most recent General Practice: Health of the Nation report, 50% of GP owners are concerned about the long-term viability of their practice.
The pressure on GP’s began in 2013 when the Labor Government introduced a one-year freeze on Medicare rebates, which The Coalition extended for another four years to save $2.8 billion.
Chair of Australian Medical Association Queensland’s Committee of General Practice Dr Maria Boulton says healthcare workers are doing the best they can but the system has failed them and their patients.
“The way medicare rebates stand at the moment, they tend to pay for five-minute medicine, rather than what we really need.
“A lot of our patients have chronic illness and mental health issues and medicare rebates don’t fund the patients for those long-term chronic issues.
“Patients are being underdone by the government, and in the end they are the ones who suffer.”
“We have a federal election and we are yet to see any real commitment from either the Coalition or Labor on this issue,” she said.
Bert Van Manen MP, Federal Member for Forde says he is committed to ensuring the people of Logan have “the best health facilities possible”.
“Government expenditure on Medicare will grow to $36.6 billion by 2025–26, up from $20.2 billion in 2014–15.
“The Liberal Nation Government has invested at record levels, making Australia one of the top three health systems in the world,” he said.
Member for Rankin Jim Chalmers did not comment prior to deadline.
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