A state health minister has weighed in on the debate over looming cuts to bulk-billing incentives for thousands of GPs, calling on the Federal Government to reverse the proposed changes.

From January, GPs working in outer suburbs and regional towns will take a financial hit when their practices are reclassified as metropolitan.

Under the update to the Department of Health’s rural classification system, 2000 GPs will gain access to the $9.65 rural bulk-billing incentive for the first time.

However, around 7000 GPs in the outskirts of capital cities and regional towns will see their incentives reduced from $9.65 to $6.40.