Fed: Medicare package amounts to seismic shift in system - AMA
Australian Medical Association president KERRYN PHELPS says the federal government'sMedicare package represents a seismic shift in the philosophy of the system.
Dr PHELPS says despite incentives for doctors to bulk-bill patients, there's stilla major shortfall between a doctor's proper fee and the Medicare rebate.
She says a study has found that the proper fee to see a doctor should be around $50,but Medicare only rebates around $25.
Dr PHELPS has told the Seven Network that people can do the maths and figure out it'sstill a fairly major shortfall.
GPs will have to decide whether it's worth their while to continue bulk-billing allpatients, only to bulk-bill health care card holders or to move completely to privatebilling.
Dr PHELPS says it remains to be seen what happens to Medicare ultimately, but thereis a seismic shift in the philosophy of Medicare.
Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD yesterday unveiled the government's $917 million Medicarepackage, with incentives for doctors to bulk-bill only those Australians with concessioncards.
AAP RTV sal/sb/jas/rp
KEYWORD: MEDICARE PHELPS (CANBERRA)
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