Medicare is covering fewer specialist visits. But why are doctors' fees so high in the first place?

Medicare is covering fewer specialist visits. But why are doctors’ fees so high in the first place?

Medical Xpress October 2, 2024
Susan J. Méndez, The Conversation

Fees for medical specialists are going up faster than Medicare rebates, leading to a bigger gap for patients to pay.

Recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that in the first quarter of this year, Medicare rebates covered just over half (52%) of the total fees. This is down from 72% two decades ago, and the lowest proportion on record.

Doctors can charge what they like, while the government determines the Medicare rebate. The difference between the two, or the gap, is what impacts patients. For GPs, the government provides an incentive for doctors to bulk bill, but there’s no such incentive for other specialists.