Decision to split bulk-billing loading 50-50 between GPs and practices ‘confusing’
AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen says the association advised the government to direct 100% of the payment to GPs.
The Federal Government’s decision to evenly split the 12.5% loading on Medicare rebates for universally bulk-billing practices between GPs and owners, adds “an unnecessary layer of confusion”, the AMA president says.
Dr Danielle McMullen says the AMA tried to encourage Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler to ensure 100% of the payment went to GPs, who would then pay their usual service fee to the practice.
However, last Friday, Mr Butler announced that GPs would directly receive 50% of the payment, which Dr McMullen dubbed a confusing choice.
“Nothing else is split 50-50. The [General Practice in] Aged Care Incentive is 70-30, for example,” Dr McMullen told AusDoc.
