The largest investment in bulk-billing in the 40-year history of Medicare took effect in November, with the tripling of bulk billing incentives for GPs.
Bulk billing incentives are delivered through Medicare and compensate providers when they bulk bill.
The $3.5 billion increase to the bulk-billing incentive will be paid on top of the standard Medicare benefit when doctors bulk-bill children under 16, pensioners and other Commonwealth concession card holders.
According to Cleanbill’s Health of the Nation report released in April, said 10 of the 27 GP clinics in the Hawke electorate offer bulk billing.
Coburns Road Medical Clinic practice manager and nurse Chriselda Ortega said the incentive boost is welcomed for their bulk billing services, but Melton has an overall need for more doctors.
“It’s good for the patients that they can have access to bulk billing for phone consultations and in-person visits,” she said.
“Unfortunately we are not currently receiving new patients… We get people who have just moved to Melton but we cant accept them them.
“My priority is for the government to help more doctors to come into the Hawke electorate.”
According to Cleanbill, in April, 26 of 27 GP clinics were accepting new patients.
Hawke MP Same Rae said he knows how important it is for the community to see a doctor when and where they need it.
According to the government the incentives will make it easier for 56,926 children and their families as well as 26,961 pensioners and concession cardholders in Hawke to see a bulk billed GP.
