Federal Member for Gilmore Ann Sudmalis has announced that more patients in Gilmore are seeing their doctor without having to reach for their wallet with GP bulk billing rates for the 2016-17 financial year increasing to 85.4% compared to 84.6% in 2015-16.
“It’s not a huge jump but, but it’s a good start.” she said. “Nationally this is the highest bulk billing rate for any financial year since the start of Medicare. “The Gilmore bulk billing rate for GP visits is also significantly higher than Labor’s 82.6% in 2012-13.” Bulk billing rates for the June 2017 quarter were also at record levels, 86.4% up from 85.9% the previous June. Historically this quarter is always amongst the highest of the year due to the winter flu season. “Our commitment to Medicare is rock-solid with funding increasing each and every year from $23 billion in 2017-18, to $24 billion, to $26 billion to $28 billion in 2020-21.” Australians accessed more than 8 million more fully subsidised Medicare services compared to 2015-16, with a total of 308.6 million bulk billed services in 2016-2017. Patients received over 127 million bulk billed GP general visits during the last year. “We have ended the freeze on Medicare which Labor started. “The Government restored the indexation of the Medicare rebate, starting with GP bulk-billing incentives 1 July 2017, meaning cheaper visits to the Doctor.” Indexation of standard GP and specialist consultations will resume on 1 July 2018, and specialist procedures and allied health from 1 July 2019. “We will continue to make sure Medicare is stronger for the future. These figures released today by the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services show that Medicare is better than ever. “Universal access to medical services, public hospitals and medicines through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is something that Australians expect and something which we are delivering. “The Coalition Government has a rock solid commitment to Medicare, bulk billing and the PBS and our Long Term National Health Plan will ensure that Australians will continue to be supported by one of the best health systems in the world, way into the future,” Mrs Sudmalis said. Media Release
