Raise level C rebate to $96 and fund annual child health checks: RACGP
The college is also calling for a 20% rebate boost for mental health consults.
The RACGP wants a 20% increase to Medicare rebates for level C, level D and mental health consults, saying the current rebate structure undermines chronic disease care.
Ahead of May’s federal budget, the college says the lower per-minute rebates for longer consults can mean that “the sicker a person gets, the more they pay out of pocket to see their GP”.
“Concerningly, there is a growing trend that patients seeking bulk-billed care can only access shorter consultations, exacerbating access issues for those most in need,” said its 2024/25 pre-budget submission.
It said the “simple and effective” solution was a 20% rebate boost, which would bring the rebate for item 36 to $96 and the rebate for item 44 to $142.
