© 2021 Greek Community Tribune All Rights Reserved
GPs bulk-billing rate drops below 21 per cent
February 2025 Australia’s bulk-billing rate has dropped to 20.7 per cent in early 2025, down from 35.7 per cent two years ago, according to healthcare directory service Cleanbill. Rising costs and the complexity of care have forced many GP clinics to stop bulk billing, leaving patients with higher out-of-pocket expenses averaging 43-dollars-38 per visit. Tasmania has the highest average cost at 54-dollars-26, and no clinics offering bulk billing for new adult patients without concessions. About 1.5 million Australians reportedly avoided seeing a doctor due to costs, exacerbating health inequalities. Wealthier patients maintained routine care, while others faced lower-quality services at bulk-billing centres. Health Minister Mark Butler defended Medicare funding, citing a 77.2 per cent bulk-billing rate for individual visits, and increased incentives for concession holders. Critics, including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, argued that Medicare underfunding remains a major issue, urging further investment to prevent worsening health outcomes and higher hospital costs.
Greek Tribune
Adelaide, South Australia
© 2021 Greek Community Tribune All Rights Reserved
GPs bulk-billing rate drops below 21 per
cent
February 2025 Australia’s bulk-billing rate has dropped to 20.7 per cent in early 2025, down from 35.7 per cent two years ago, according to healthcare directory service Cleanbill. Rising costs and the complexity of care have forced many GP clinics to stop bulk billing, leaving patients with higher out-of-pocket expenses averaging 43-dollars-38 per visit. Tasmania has the highest average cost at 54-dollars-26, and no clinics offering bulk billing for new adult patients without concessions. About 1.5 million Australians reportedly avoided seeing a doctor due to costs, exacerbating health inequalities. Wealthier patients maintained routine care, while others faced lower-quality services at bulk-billing centres. Health Minister Mark Butler defended Medicare funding, citing a 77.2 per cent bulk-billing rate for individual visits, and increased incentives for concession holders. Critics, including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, argued that Medicare underfunding remains a major issue, urging further investment to prevent worsening health outcomes and higher hospital costs.
Greek Tribune
Adelaide, South Australia