Closed: 27 May 2016
On 3 May 2016, as part of its 2016–17 Federal Budget, the federal government announced an extension of the freeze on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) for a further two years until 30 June 2020.
The extension of the MBS freeze will have significant implications on the affordability of vital health services and the overall sustainability of general practice. There is now an even greater likelihood of reduced access for patients and higher out of pocket costs, as GPs strive to maintain viable practices.
In 2015, the RACGP surveyed members on how the freeze was affecting patient services, with the majority of respondents saying they would be forced to pass increased out-of-pocket expenses onto patients.
The continued freeze and its extension until 2020 demonstrates the federal government’s sustained efforts to ignore and devalue GPs and the crucial services provided by general practices.
The RACGP will increase advocacy efforts to have the indexation freeze lifted. To assist us with our efforts, we asked to hear your stories and examples of how the freeze is impacting you, your patients and your community and how you and your practice will adapt.
The RACGP thanks all respondents for their feedback. We will use this information in continued advocacy efforts for appropriate indexation of Medicare rebates.
The RACGP’s You’ve been targeted campaign includes further information for both GPs and patients on how the freeze will affect them, including fact sheets, posters and letters to send to local candidates.