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MEDIA RELEASE |
Bulk-billing Rate Good
News…But a
Rural Complexity Loading Still Essential
While the increased rural bulk-billing rate is a
welcome sign that more rural doctors may be able to care for their most needy
patients while also keeping their practices financially viable, the introduction
of a Medicare complexity loading for rural medical practice remains essential
in attracting more doctors to the bush, the Rural Doctors Association of
“It is encouraging to see
bulk-billing rates increasing in rural and remote Australia, particularly in
times of drought and rural depression, since those living in the bush tend to
have much lower incomes and yet have higher rates of chronic disease requiring medical
attention than those in the cities” RDAA President, Dr Sue Page, said.
“Rural doctors are not
working in the bush to become rich and they have always wanted to assist those
patients who are struggling financially, however they have been caught between
a rock and a hard place—if they were bulk-billing patients, they made their
medical practices less financially viable.
“The costs of running a
medical practice are higher in rural areas for many reasons, including
differential staff awards, expensive rates for petrol and other consumables,
long distance phone calls, greater equipment requirements like resuscitation
gear (where there is no local ambulance station) and smaller sized practices
with fewer doctors to share the costs. Research undertaken by RDAA and
“Ultimately, many rural doctors
had to charge their patients a gap fee just to ensure their practice could stay
above water and not have to close down, which would then leave their community
with no doctor at all.
“Federal Government
initiatives such as the 100% Medicare rebate for consultations, the
rural differential incentive of $7.50 for certain bulk-billed consultations,
the introduction of practice nurse items and the Practice Incentive Payments rural
loadings have clearly enabled some rural and remote practices to increase their
bulk-billing rates and still get over the line financially at the end of each
month.
“But these hard market
forces are not the only ones that leave rural towns struggling to recruit and
retain their doctors. The same doctors that have tried to provide healthcare at
a price that has been unrealistic, for the communities they care about so
passionately, have also been struggling to fit complex patient care into a
pattern of consultation items better suited to encounters that are short and
simple.
“The introduction by the
Federal Government of a Medicare loading that specifically recognises the
increased complexity of providing a comprehensive medical service in rural and
remote areas would
greatly assist many of
“It would
enable rural patients with complicated problems to receive a higher
rebate that reflects the expanded service and skill level of their doctor, who
is working largely isolated from specialist and other multidisciplinary team
back-up.
“Any measure that recognises the unique role that
rural doctors with advanced skills play in the Australian healthcare system
will improve both the viability and the attractiveness of rural medical
practice and encourage more doctors to consider moving to the bush.
“The advice we have been giving government has clearly
worked for bulk-billing rates, and we strongly urge the Federal Government to
consider introducing this loading as well.”
RDAA President,
Dr Sue Page, is available for interview on tel: 0414 878 385.
Media contact:
Patrick Daley on tel: (02) 6273 9303 bh or (0408) 004
890.