PBS co-payment freeze rolls out In 2025, the maximum patient cost for all PBS medicines will remain the same as in 2024 instead of increasing with indexation.
New GP parental leave supporting members The RACGP policy will waive members’ fees for six months, while still allowing them to access full benefits and ‘stay connected’.
AHPRA notifications rise by 14.2% The medical watchdog’s annual report reveals 5.9% of medical practitioners received a notification last year, with clinical care the most common complaint.
Is prescription affordability impacting hospitalisations? Research has revealed patients unable to pay for medication are ending up in hospitals, as doctors call for cost-of-living relief.
GPs offering ‘bang for buck’ amid soaring specialist fees Out-of-pocket costs for some non-GP specialist procedures have spiked by 300% since 2018, new analysis shows.
Out-of-pocket costs rise as bulk billing plummets: Survey In less than 12 months, more than 500 clinics around the country have ceased universal bulk billing, new research suggests.
Out-of-pocket costs linked to decline in GP services GP attendances in the first six months of 2023 were 9.1% lower than the same period last year, according to a new AIHW report.
‘Another cost to absorb’: 16% hike in GPs’ registration fee With regulatory duties for the Medical Board of Australia expanding, the RACGP President queries whether individual GPs should have to foot the bill.
Alarm grows over out-of-pocket impact on health equity New research indicates healthcare is becoming harder to access due to increasing out-of-pocket costs – particularly for vulnerable patients.
Pharmacy reform could save more than $800m annually Allowing patients two months’ supply of some medications would halve dispensing fees, the RACGP has said.