GPs can now claim bulk-billing incentives for all consultations with any patient deemed “susceptible” to COVID-19 — regardless of whether they hold a concession card or not.

The new funding applies to all phone, video and face-to-face consultations, with eligible patients including those under treatment for a chronic health condition, anyone aged 70 and over, as well as parents of children under 12 months and expectant mothers.

Patients with immune deficiencies will also be able to access the incentives for the first time, which currently pay $12.75 in the cities and $19.30 in rural areas.

It is being sold as a major shift given the incentives were previously only available to concessional patients and children under 16.