Bulk-billing GP co-op faces insolvency because of ‘insurmountable’ losses
The chain of GP practices that charges patients membership fees in return for universally bulk-billed GP care has entered voluntary administration and faces possible insolvency.
Operating eight practices around Canberra, the National Health Co-op has been controversial, with its critics saying its billing model breaches section 20A of the Health Insurance Act 1973, which states private fees cannot be levied for bulk-billed consults.
The group says it is currently covering its costs but faces an “insurmountable” deficit for the 2021/22 financial year.
Appointed on Monday, its administrator, Slaven Torline, said that, while efforts had been made to cover the losses, these had fallen short because of the end of JobKeeper and “recent staff changes”.
