Abstract:
In response to falling rates of bulk billing, in
April 2003 the Australian Government proposed
changes to the way that general practitioners
(GPs) are reimbursed. It claimed that
the General Practice Access Scheme (GPAS)
would benefit all Australians by providing
more affordable access to GP services and improved
access 10free GP consultations for concession
cardholders. This article examines the
likely impacts of the GPAS, focusing on the
proposed changes to bulk billing and payments
to GPs. It examines the current spatial distribution
of bulk billing and discusses how the
package changes the incentives for GPs to
charge patients and likely impacts. on GP income,
patient copayments and bulk billing
rates.
