Frequently asked questions

Why doesn't Medicare cover more of my GP visit?

A lot has changed since Medicare was created, with complex and chronic disease now being much more prevalent. Our plan to Modernise Medicare gives patients with complex health needs more support by overhauling the standard GP consultation item structure and better funding longer consultations, so patients are supported to access the comprehensive GP care they need.

Why is it harder to see a GP?

General practice remains one of the most accessible parts of the health system, but GPs are under increasing pressure.

Patients have more complex healthcare needs, and the failure of successive governments over many years to properly invest in general practice and the GP workforce means community demand for GPs is growing faster than the available services.

The AMA's comprehensive policy proposals are designed to turn this situation around through extra investment in a more fit-for-purpose Medicare structure, funding additional nursing and allied health services in general practice, and bolstering GP numbers.

Why does it seem like there is never enough time to cover everything at my GP appointment?

Current Medicare funding arrangements for GP consultations do not provide patients with the level of support they need, particularly for longer consultations.

Our proposed new consultation item structure recognises the incidence of complex and chronic illness is growing. Adopting the AMA’s plan would result in more fit-for-purpose Medicare arrangements so patients can access the care they need.

How will these reforms improve our healthcare system?

GPs are the cornerstone of our healthcare system. When people delay seeing their GP, their health condition may worsen, ultimately requiring more expensive hospitals care, including unplanned visits to emergency departments.

Our reformed GP consultation item structure will support patients in spending the time they need with a GP to access appropriate care, rather than relying on waiting at the emergency department.

How will these reforms make it easier to access a GP?

Our plan to Modernise Medicare focuses on incentivising a career in general practice. The goal is to have more GPs delivering more care to Australians.

Our plan encourages more doctors to become GPs by improving their conditions during training — putting them on an equal footing with their hospital counterparts.

It also proposes measures to significantly increase the number of general practice training places to help address the current and expected shortfall in GP numbers. We also propose changes to better integrate nurses and allied professionals into general practice, expanding the capacity of general practice to deliver the care patients need.

How will these reforms help address the GP shortage?

Our plan to Modernise Medicare will encourage the next generation of doctors to become GPs, so we have more appointments and care available for all of us.

A fair and sustainable rebate structure allows GPs to deliver the care they are trained to do. Equalising trainee conditions and offering more places for GP training and rotations are crucial to addressing the current shortage crisis.

How will these reforms reduce out-of-pocket costs?

Decades of inadequate indexation, and the Medicare freeze, have led to patient rebates falling far behind the cost of seeing a GP.

Improved funding for general practice services, particularly longer consultations, will help alleviate out-of-pocket costs for patients, while extra funding for nursing and allied health services in general practice will ensure patients have more affordable access to team-based care.

How will longer consultations lead to better healthcare?

Evidence shows longer GP consultations are associated with better health care outcomes. This was acknowledged many years ago in an earlier review of GP consultation items.

Our plan to Modernise Medicare will increase the level of support patients receive when they visit a GP, particularly for longer consultations.

Will these reforms strengthen team-based care at my GP?

Our plan to Modernise Medicare centres on GPs being better supported to care for patients with complex and chronic health conditions.

Supporting general practice to employ more nurses and allied health workers through greater investment in the Workforce Incentive Program will help create medical homes for patients where their GP can co-ordinate care across multiple types of health professionals under the one roof.

Frequently asked questions Budget submission Research reports For doctors

*https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/dsi-pcpch/Documents/PCPCH-Program-Implementation-Report-Sept2016.pdf

The Modernise Medicare campaign is run by the Australian Medical Association (AMA).

The AMA is the peak professional body for doctors in Australia, promoting and protecting the professional interests of doctors and the healthcare needs of patients and communities.

Learn more about the AMA.

Authorised by Danielle McMullen, Canberra

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