15. Long-term health effects: Medicare Benefit Schemes bulk billing in Australia
Bulk billing, part of Australia’s Medicare system, allows doctors to bill Medicare directly for services, receiving 85% of scheduled fees without the burden of patient billing. Research indicates that patient health, income, location, and GP practice size influence bulk billing usage. Delays in treatment due to out-of-pocket costs can lead to adverse health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable groups, including the elderly and those with chronic diseases. The Abbott government’s support for bulk billing aims to address high healthcare costs linked to fee-for-service models, with policymakers advocating for cost-sharing to reduce unnecessary medical services and improve efficiency in healthcare delivery.