Mark Butler axes $170 million scheme to fund GP care of hospital ‘frequent flyers’
The mid-financial-year budget update confirmed that the plan had been left to die.
The Federal Government has formally killed off its long-delayed plan to pay thousands of dollars to the GPs caring for hospital ‘frequent flyers’.
The Frequent Hospital Users Incentive was unveiled in 2023 and was meant to support around 14,000 patients making 10 or more hospital presentations a year.
It was pitched as the cornerstone of the MyMedicare patient enrolment scheme: a means of funding consistent high-level GP care outside of the public system for very complex patients, such as those with addictions or complex psychosocial needs.
Supporters also believed it had the potential to save big bucks by reducing hospital attendances and admissions.
