Latest news with #MedicalCostsFinder
The Advertiser
18-05-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
'Waiting too long': bulk-billing push amid high costs to see specialists
People in the Hunter health network are much less likely to attend a specialist than wealthy Sydney areas, prompting a call for "fully bulk-billed specialty clinics" in the region. The cost of seeing a specialist and long wait times to book appointments are causing widespread anger and frustration. Professor Jennifer Martin, of University of Newcastle, said "bulk-billed specialty clinics and outreach services" were needed in the Hunter. She said this was especially the case "for specialities that are under-represented and difficult to access". Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data showed specialist attendances in the Hunter network were 89.3 per 100 people in 2023-24. This means that, on average, 89.3 Medicare-subsidised specialist visits were made for every 100 people in the network, which includes New England and Central Coast. This was below areas including Northern Sydney (123), Central and Eastern Sydney (118.7), Nepean Blue Mountains (108.5) and South Western Sydney (103.4). Professor Martin, president of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), said "people in rural and regional Australia, including in the Hunter, are waiting far too long to see medical specialists". "Many are forced to travel long distances for specialist consultations, while others are simply missing out altogether," Professor Martin said. "There aren't enough generalists who are well supported to go to regional sites and stay." In recent industrial action, doctors highlighted long waitlists for specialists in endoscopy, ENT (ear, nose and throat) and gynaecology in the Hunter. Long waits for orthopaedic and gastroenterology services have also been reported. Meanwhile, GPs have raised concerns that their fees are publicly available in Medicare reports, but specialists' fees are not. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said recently that a re-elected Albanese government would "help Australians find the best value" among specialists. Mr Butler promised to "fix the former government's failed price disclosure tool, the Medical Costs Finder". The $7 million project would "analyse annual Medicare, hospital and insurer data for every common medical service". It would display the average fee that each specialist doctor charged, alongside the national average for that service. "Fees can vary widely across specialists, even for the same procedure in the same part of Australia," he said. Professor Martin said access to healthcare and being able to afford it were key issues. "Unfortunately, Medicare rebates over many years have not kept pace with inflation, impacting both patients and doctors," she said. "Additionally, governments control the supply of specialists through training places and scarcity impacts costs." She said the federal government "needs to expand bulk-billing incentive payments to specialists as well as GPs for key priority populations". This included those in rural and remote areas who "experience higher rates of complex and chronic diseases than people in the cities". "Publicly-funded access to specialists will have a positive flow-on effect from investing in preventive health." She said this would ease hospital pressures and "expand access to the communities who need it most". Professor Martin urged the federal and state governments to "invest more in growing and supporting the medical workforce". The Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding found there were "insufficient financial incentives" for city-based specialists to "relocate to rural or regional areas". In the inquiry report, released last week, Dr Nicholas Spooner said the staff specialists' award was "out of date in regard to remuneration and other conditions". Dr Spooner, director of emergency medicine at Wyong Hospital, said this included "paying staff specialists less than other jurisdictions" and not paying them for "on-call work or overtime". People in the Hunter health network are much less likely to attend a specialist than wealthy Sydney areas, prompting a call for "fully bulk-billed specialty clinics" in the region. The cost of seeing a specialist and long wait times to book appointments are causing widespread anger and frustration. Professor Jennifer Martin, of University of Newcastle, said "bulk-billed specialty clinics and outreach services" were needed in the Hunter. She said this was especially the case "for specialities that are under-represented and difficult to access". Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data showed specialist attendances in the Hunter network were 89.3 per 100 people in 2023-24. This means that, on average, 89.3 Medicare-subsidised specialist visits were made for every 100 people in the network, which includes New England and Central Coast. This was below areas including Northern Sydney (123), Central and Eastern Sydney (118.7), Nepean Blue Mountains (108.5) and South Western Sydney (103.4). Professor Martin, president of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), said "people in rural and regional Australia, including in the Hunter, are waiting far too long to see medical specialists". "Many are forced to travel long distances for specialist consultations, while others are simply missing out altogether," Professor Martin said. "There aren't enough generalists who are well supported to go to regional sites and stay." In recent industrial action, doctors highlighted long waitlists for specialists in endoscopy, ENT (ear, nose and throat) and gynaecology in the Hunter. Long waits for orthopaedic and gastroenterology services have also been reported. Meanwhile, GPs have raised concerns that their fees are publicly available in Medicare reports, but specialists' fees are not. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said recently that a re-elected Albanese government would "help Australians find the best value" among specialists. Mr Butler promised to "fix the former government's failed price disclosure tool, the Medical Costs Finder". The $7 million project would "analyse annual Medicare, hospital and insurer data for every common medical service". It would display the average fee that each specialist doctor charged, alongside the national average for that service. "Fees can vary widely across specialists, even for the same procedure in the same part of Australia," he said. Professor Martin said access to healthcare and being able to afford it were key issues. "Unfortunately, Medicare rebates over many years have not kept pace with inflation, impacting both patients and doctors," she said. "Additionally, governments control the supply of specialists through training places and scarcity impacts costs." She said the federal government "needs to expand bulk-billing incentive payments to specialists as well as GPs for key priority populations". This included those in rural and remote areas who "experience higher rates of complex and chronic diseases than people in the cities". "Publicly-funded access to specialists will have a positive flow-on effect from investing in preventive health." She said this would ease hospital pressures and "expand access to the communities who need it most". Professor Martin urged the federal and state governments to "invest more in growing and supporting the medical workforce". The Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding found there were "insufficient financial incentives" for city-based specialists to "relocate to rural or regional areas". In the inquiry report, released last week, Dr Nicholas Spooner said the staff specialists' award was "out of date in regard to remuneration and other conditions". Dr Spooner, director of emergency medicine at Wyong Hospital, said this included "paying staff specialists less than other jurisdictions" and not paying them for "on-call work or overtime". People in the Hunter health network are much less likely to attend a specialist than wealthy Sydney areas, prompting a call for "fully bulk-billed specialty clinics" in the region. The cost of seeing a specialist and long wait times to book appointments are causing widespread anger and frustration. Professor Jennifer Martin, of University of Newcastle, said "bulk-billed specialty clinics and outreach services" were needed in the Hunter. She said this was especially the case "for specialities that are under-represented and difficult to access". Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data showed specialist attendances in the Hunter network were 89.3 per 100 people in 2023-24. This means that, on average, 89.3 Medicare-subsidised specialist visits were made for every 100 people in the network, which includes New England and Central Coast. This was below areas including Northern Sydney (123), Central and Eastern Sydney (118.7), Nepean Blue Mountains (108.5) and South Western Sydney (103.4). Professor Martin, president of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), said "people in rural and regional Australia, including in the Hunter, are waiting far too long to see medical specialists". "Many are forced to travel long distances for specialist consultations, while others are simply missing out altogether," Professor Martin said. "There aren't enough generalists who are well supported to go to regional sites and stay." In recent industrial action, doctors highlighted long waitlists for specialists in endoscopy, ENT (ear, nose and throat) and gynaecology in the Hunter. Long waits for orthopaedic and gastroenterology services have also been reported. Meanwhile, GPs have raised concerns that their fees are publicly available in Medicare reports, but specialists' fees are not. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said recently that a re-elected Albanese government would "help Australians find the best value" among specialists. Mr Butler promised to "fix the former government's failed price disclosure tool, the Medical Costs Finder". The $7 million project would "analyse annual Medicare, hospital and insurer data for every common medical service". It would display the average fee that each specialist doctor charged, alongside the national average for that service. "Fees can vary widely across specialists, even for the same procedure in the same part of Australia," he said. Professor Martin said access to healthcare and being able to afford it were key issues. "Unfortunately, Medicare rebates over many years have not kept pace with inflation, impacting both patients and doctors," she said. "Additionally, governments control the supply of specialists through training places and scarcity impacts costs." She said the federal government "needs to expand bulk-billing incentive payments to specialists as well as GPs for key priority populations". This included those in rural and remote areas who "experience higher rates of complex and chronic diseases than people in the cities". "Publicly-funded access to specialists will have a positive flow-on effect from investing in preventive health." She said this would ease hospital pressures and "expand access to the communities who need it most". Professor Martin urged the federal and state governments to "invest more in growing and supporting the medical workforce". The Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding found there were "insufficient financial incentives" for city-based specialists to "relocate to rural or regional areas". In the inquiry report, released last week, Dr Nicholas Spooner said the staff specialists' award was "out of date in regard to remuneration and other conditions". Dr Spooner, director of emergency medicine at Wyong Hospital, said this included "paying staff specialists less than other jurisdictions" and not paying them for "on-call work or overtime". People in the Hunter health network are much less likely to attend a specialist than wealthy Sydney areas, prompting a call for "fully bulk-billed specialty clinics" in the region. The cost of seeing a specialist and long wait times to book appointments are causing widespread anger and frustration. Professor Jennifer Martin, of University of Newcastle, said "bulk-billed specialty clinics and outreach services" were needed in the Hunter. She said this was especially the case "for specialities that are under-represented and difficult to access". Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data showed specialist attendances in the Hunter network were 89.3 per 100 people in 2023-24. This means that, on average, 89.3 Medicare-subsidised specialist visits were made for every 100 people in the network, which includes New England and Central Coast. This was below areas including Northern Sydney (123), Central and Eastern Sydney (118.7), Nepean Blue Mountains (108.5) and South Western Sydney (103.4). Professor Martin, president of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), said "people in rural and regional Australia, including in the Hunter, are waiting far too long to see medical specialists". "Many are forced to travel long distances for specialist consultations, while others are simply missing out altogether," Professor Martin said. "There aren't enough generalists who are well supported to go to regional sites and stay." In recent industrial action, doctors highlighted long waitlists for specialists in endoscopy, ENT (ear, nose and throat) and gynaecology in the Hunter. Long waits for orthopaedic and gastroenterology services have also been reported. Meanwhile, GPs have raised concerns that their fees are publicly available in Medicare reports, but specialists' fees are not. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said recently that a re-elected Albanese government would "help Australians find the best value" among specialists. Mr Butler promised to "fix the former government's failed price disclosure tool, the Medical Costs Finder". The $7 million project would "analyse annual Medicare, hospital and insurer data for every common medical service". It would display the average fee that each specialist doctor charged, alongside the national average for that service. "Fees can vary widely across specialists, even for the same procedure in the same part of Australia," he said. Professor Martin said access to healthcare and being able to afford it were key issues. "Unfortunately, Medicare rebates over many years have not kept pace with inflation, impacting both patients and doctors," she said. "Additionally, governments control the supply of specialists through training places and scarcity impacts costs." She said the federal government "needs to expand bulk-billing incentive payments to specialists as well as GPs for key priority populations". This included those in rural and remote areas who "experience higher rates of complex and chronic diseases than people in the cities". "Publicly-funded access to specialists will have a positive flow-on effect from investing in preventive health." She said this would ease hospital pressures and "expand access to the communities who need it most". Professor Martin urged the federal and state governments to "invest more in growing and supporting the medical workforce". The Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding found there were "insufficient financial incentives" for city-based specialists to "relocate to rural or regional areas". In the inquiry report, released last week, Dr Nicholas Spooner said the staff specialists' award was "out of date in regard to remuneration and other conditions". Dr Spooner, director of emergency medicine at Wyong Hospital, said this included "paying staff specialists less than other jurisdictions" and not paying them for "on-call work or overtime".
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Major win for Aussies slugged with $950 medical bills: ‘Don't get hit by unexpected fees'
Australians will soon find it easier to locate cheaper doctor appointments and avoid getting hit with unexpected medical bills. The federal government has promised to spend $7 million to upgrade its Medical Costs Finder website if re-elected, a costs comparison website for medical specialists. Aussies across the country can pay hundreds of dollars more than their neighbours for the same procedure, with fees varying hugely from specialist to specialist. In Perth, for example, the average out-of-pocket cost for cataract surgery is $190 but some have paid less than $20 and others paid more than $500 for the same operation. Aussies in central Sydney who have undergone colonoscopies can pay as little as $20, or more than $680, even though the average cost is about $280. RELATED Health insurance premium price hike for 15 million Aussies revealed: 'Caught in crossfire' Centrelink cash boost to hit accounts this week: 'Critical' $800,000 Centrelink 'hack' for Bank of Mum and Dad to avoid pension cut The Medical Costs Finder Website allows patients to see the average fee charged by every eligible non-GP specialist and compare it with the national average for that service. The $24 million website was launched by the former Coalition government in 2019 but since then less than 100 of 11,000 medical specialists have voluntarily uploaded their fees to the site. Health Minister Mark Butler will announce the review of the website today and said the service had been 'left gathering dust' and wasn't currently helping patients work out out-of-pocket costs. 'The Albanese Labor government will help Australians find the best value when they need specialist medical advice and treatment, by upgrading the Medical Costs Finder to give more transparency on fees,' Butler said. The improved website would include data from private health insurers showing their financial arrangements with specialists and how often patients have to pay out-of-pocket costs. The website will also analyse annual data from Medicare, hospitals and insurers to improve the website's information. It comes after the government announced it would deliver a $8.5 billion funding boost to Medicare if re-elected, which it said would lead to nine out of 10 GP visits being bulk billed by move has been welcomed by medical and private health insurance bodies. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) said it would work with the government on upgrades to the website to ensure all information is available and existing challenges are addressed. AMA president Dr Danielle McMullen said the group had 'long advocated for greater transparency for patients when it comes to medical costs'. McMullen noted a major challenge to uptake was the lack of information provided by private health insurers, particularly about rebates provided for specific procedures. Private Healthcare Australia said health funds would work with the government to help consumers get reliable quotes before they proceeded with medical treatment in the private health system. 'This is a massive win for consumers who have been crying out for more information and competition between specialist doctors, so they don't get hit by unexpected fees,' CEO Dr Rachel David said. 'While most doctors charge appropriately, we know an increasing number of Australians have been charged exorbitant fees by specialist doctors, including more than $950 for first appointments with psychiatrists.' The group said paying more did not guarantee better treatment or a better health outcome. It has called on the Opposition to match the in to access your portfolio
