ABC Fact Check on bulk-billing rate when patients see a GP
The Australian Labor Party has announced that they promise to end the Medicare rebate freeze should they win government, a move since matched by the Coalition in its latest Budget.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt tweeted in response to Labor’s announcement: “GP bulk-billing is up nearly 4 per cent from 82.2 per cent under Labor to a record 86.1 per cent under the Coalition Government — meaning that more patients are seeing their local GP without having to pay out-of-pocket costs.”
Have bulk-billing rates reached a new high, with more patients visiting GPs without having to pay?
Synapse CEO Margaret Faux was consulted in the writing of this article.