Medicare rebate too low to support bulk billing
The rapidly increasing number of Australians putting off going to see their doctor due to cost is unsurprising, as bulk billing rates around the country continue to decline, AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Yim told ABC Radio Far North. "Wages are going up, electricity is going up, rent is going up, and that Medicare rebate just has not kept in time for the patients to have a bulk billing consult."

Transcript: AMA Queensland President, Dr Nick Yim, ABC Radio Far North, Drive with Annie Gaffney, Monday 13 January 2025
Subjects: Bulk billing rates
ANNIE GAFFNEY: If you're sick and you need to see a doctor, are you happy to fork out anywhere up to $90 out of pocket to see your GP? Now, Cleanbill is a private company which has put out a report that shows the cost of GP visits is rising, while the number of practices offering bulk billing is declining. And according to their data, the average out of pocket costs for a GP visit has risen by 4.1 per cent nationally over the past year. Here in Queensland, they say it's jumped by 5 per cent. What's the reality? Dr Nick Yim is the President of the Australian Medical Association of Queensland. Dr Yim, great to have you with us. Happy New Year. Great to have you back.
DR NICK YIM: Good afternoon, Annie. Happy New Year.
ANNIE GAFFNEY: How many GPs offer bulk billing these days nationally, and then here in Queensland?
DR NICK YIM: Some of the numbers that you quoted, you're absolutely right. These are the figures that doctors, patients and the community – we have been saying to the federal government for many years that the Medicare rebate is just too low to support bulk billing. Those bulk billing numbers are getting less and less moving forward, which is very concerning.
ANNIE GAFFNEY: I read a report last week. I can't quote you on where it came from. Too much data in my brain and not enough time to fact check it. But this report basically said that in 2022, about 500,000 Australians put off going to see their doctor because of the cost. In 2024, that number had grown to 1.5 million. Does that sound right?
DR NICK YIM: That's not unsurprising, to be honest. What I'm hearing from my patients, is often they are tossing up whether to see a GP or to buy medications, etc. What we will end up seeing moving forward is unfortunately delayed diagnosis of diabetes, heart disease, cancer diagnosis. That's going to put pressure on our hospital systems.
ANNIE GAFFNEY: I'm mindful of the fact that the company which put out this report is a private company. Do their figures actually match up with groups like the AMA and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners?
DR NICK YIM: I think anecdotally it’s pretty much spot on. A lot of the data that we see from the government takes into account urgent care clinics, for example, which are bulk billed. At the same time, we do know many practices will continue to bulk bill children, for example. But we've had many discussions previously, that GP practices, they're small businesses. The wages are going up, electricity is going up, rent is going up, and that Medicare rebate just has not kept up for patients to have a bulk billing consult.
ANNIE GAFFNEY: The cost of a standard appointment to see your GP can be upwards of $40. Is that reasonable?
DR NICK YIM: I think that's a challenge. From the data and the research that AMA has provided, the recommended fee for a standard consultation takes into account the doctor's fee, the receptionist, the nursing staff, all the costs involved in running a GP practice, and obviously all that goes up. We know that costs are going up and that's something that we unfortunately are having to pass on to our patients.
ANNIE GAFFNEY: What would you like to see change, Nick?
DR NICK YIM: Recently, the state government has come to give some relief with the payroll tax exemption. We commend them for that. This is the time for the federal government in Canberra to do their bit and look at increasing that Medicare rebate and look at strategies moving forward to ensure the health of our communities.
ANNIE GAFFNEY: It's going to be, I'm sure, a very hot topic of debate coming up ahead of the federal election. No doubt the AMA will be putting out a bit more information about this one, but thanks for reflecting on it with us, Nick. Appreciate your time.
DR NICK YIM: Always a pleasure, Annie.
Contact: AMA Queensland Media, +61 419 735 641, media@amaq.com.au