‘Financial crisis’ forces GPs to privately bill DVA card holders
'This change in billing is being implemented reluctantly and with sadness,' the practices say.
A GP says financial pressure has forced her practice group to privately bill veterans, rather than accept Department of Veterans’ Affairs rebates that “penalise doctors”.
The three YourGP practices in Canberra wrote to 600 veterans this month revealing the “sad decision” to start charging private fees to white card holders.
“This change will come as a shock,” the letter said (see the full version below).
“We wish to assure you that this change in billing is being implemented reluctantly, and with sadness, due to the financial necessities of running a small business.”
