Bulk-billing surges to record high in pandemic
Nearly nine out of 10 doctor visits bulk-billed during COVID-19 as patients embrace telehealth, Minister for Health Greg Hunt says
Australians have made great use of free medical services during the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing bulk-billing to a record high.
Almost nine out of 10 visits to the doctor nationally were provided at no cost to the patient, Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt says.
In the 12 months to September, the bulk-billing rate for GP services was 88.7%, or 2.6% higher than a year earlier.
By the end of September, Medicare had paid benefits for 2.5 million COVID-19 video consultations and 30.4 million COVID-19 phone consultations provided by GPs, specialists and allied health professionals.
