Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Health Minister Peter Dutton have announced that the proposed $7 GP co-payment will be redesigned.

These changes will have important impacts on how health practitioners run their business.

Key changes

The Federal Government has announced that the new measures are scheduled to commence on 1 July 2015 and include:

• reducing the Medicare rebate for all patients over 16 who do not have a concession card visiting a GP by $5
• allowing doctors to recoup the $5 rebate reduction at their discretion by charging an optional co-payment
• allocating $3 billion raised from this saving measure to the Government’s new Medical Research Future Fund
• freezing the indexation of all items on the Medicare Benefits Schedule until 2018
• adjusting the Medicare Benefits Schedule item structure to remove financial incentives that encourage doctors to reduce consultation times.

The Government will now seek the co-operation of the Senate to ensure the changes can take affect (via regulation).

How NAB Health can help

HICAPS, provided by NAB, offers efficient and easy claiming and payment solutions for Medicare and health funds, including providing on the spot automatic claims processing.

For further insights and expertise to help keep you ahead of industry developments and trends speak to a NAB Health specialist Banker in your state call 13 10 12 or visit www.nab.com.au/health