1st of July Medicare Rebate increases

An increase to Medicare rebates will come into effect as of today for 4400 items, saving patients money and demonstrating the Morrison Government’s commitment to keeping health care more affordable.

 

The Government is providing $187 million to increase patient rebates for 176 General Practitioners (GP) service items on the Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS).  

 

These services include health assessments, chronic disease management plans, and mental health services provided by GPs.

 

Bulk billing has hit record levels under this Government. The most recent published data shows GP bulk billing at a record 86 per cent.

 

This means that almost nine in 10 GP services under Medicare were bulk billed at no cost to the patient.

 

Patients also accessing a mental health service from an allied health professional, such as a psychologist, occupational therapist or social worker will receive a higher rebate. 

 

Overall the Morrison Government is delivering an additional $6 billion for Medicare services through to 2022-23.   

 

Medicare funding is up from $19 billion per year under Labor to $30.7 billion in 2022-23 under this Government.

 

Increasing rebates reflects the Government’s total commitment to guaranteeing Medicare and bulk billing, while implementing system-wide reforms to make our health system more effective and sustainable.

 

The Morrison Government is also providing record funding for the health system including Medicare. In 2019-20 we will invest a record $104 billion in health, up from $75 billion seven years ago.

Our health reform agenda will make health care more accessible, more affordable and more patient-centred. The four pillars of our long term national health plan are: guaranteeing Medicare and improving access to medicines, supporting our hospitals, prioritising mental health and preventive health and investing in health and medical research.

 

(ENDS)