In last night’s Budget the Turnbull government confirmed it would lift the freeze on the indexation of bulk-billing incentives for general practitioners from 1 July.
Fees for GP and specialist consultations will be indexed from 1 July 2018 and specialist procedures and allied health services from 1 July 2019.
In other Medicare-related announcements:
- Targeted diagnostic imaging items such as CT scans, mammography, fluoroscopy and interventional radiology will be indexed from 1 July 2020.
- The Government will not proceed with proposed changes to bulk billing incentives for pathology and diagnostic imaging services.
- $44.2 million over three years will continue to fund the clinician-led MBS Review to ensure all items represent best practice.
Medicare levy to rise
The Government announced they will fund big ticket items – the MBS, PBS and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – through an increase in the Medicare levy from 2.0 to 2.5% effective from 1 July 2019.
The levy will ensure the NDIS is fully funded with remaining monies flowing into a new Medicare Guarantee Fund to pay for future ‘essential health care’ provided under the MBS and PBS.
Medicines
$1.2 billion will be provided for new and amended listings on the PBS, including more than $510 million for sacubitril with valsartan (Entresto) for chronic heart failure.