The Federal Government is rolling out a calculator for GPs to measure the impact of introducing more bulk billing in their practices.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the tool would allow practice managers to more accurately estimate the cost of adopting a fully bulk billing model ahead of changes on November 1, where all Australians would be eligible to be bulk billed.
Minister Butler said from that date the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program would provide an additional 12.5 percent incentive payment on MBS benefits paid for eligible services.
He said this was split between the GP and the practice, when participating GPs and their practice bulked bill all eligible patients for all eligible services.
“The calculator provides practice managers and GPs with tailored income estimates based on their consultation mix, current billing model, location, and concessional patient proportion to support decision-making by comparing different scenarios.”
Minister Butler said the goal was to have nine out of 10 GP visits bulk billed by 2030, tripling the current number of fully bulk billed practices to around 4800 nationally.
He said GP practices around the country were already preparing to sign up to be fully bulk billing practices ahead of November.
“Doctors and practices are making the shift because they know it is good for patients, and it is good for their bottom line.
“We know this investment will work, because it has already worked for the patients the incentive already applies to – pensioners, concession cardholders, and families with kids.”
