Bulk-billing incentives to rise for 12,000 GPs
Rebates will increase based on levels on remoteness under reforms the government claims will encourage doctors to leave their 'salubrious suburbs'
Bulk-billing incentives will increase next January for 12,000 rural GPs.
The changes, announced at the weekend, are being sold by the Federal Government as a drawcard for doctors to work in the bush rather than in “salubrious suburbs”.
Based on 2018 MABEL figures, rural and remote GPs earn on average $102.60 an hour after practice costs, compared with $101.10 for those in metro areas.
Under the government’s revamp, the current rural bulk-billing incentive, worth $9.80, will be increased progressively based on remoteness:
