Unpacking the Federal Budget: What It Means for Your Practice
- Announcements, Cubiko
- Rob Dickson
- May 10, 2023
The latest Australian Government budget is here, and it has significant implications for Australian Healthcare, which warrant a collective sigh of relief for many. In this article, we’ll explore the key healthcare initiatives and their impact on healthcare providers, patients, and the overall sustainability of the Australian health system, giving you all the insights for this coming budget.
Impact on Healthcare Providers
The budget will significantly impact healthcare providers in Australia, including doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. One of the most impactful additions to this year’s budget is the tripling of select bulk billing incentives. The total investment of the government for the primary care sector so far is at $5.7 billion.
Practitioners can expect to see the following additional rebates for eligible consultations:
- MMM1: $6.60 to $20.65
- MMM2: $10.05 to $31.40
- MMM3: $10.65 to $33.35
- MMM4: $10.65 to $33.35
- MMM5: $11.35 to $35.40
- MMM6: $11.95 to $37.40
- MMM7: $12.70 to $39.65
There is also Increased funding for multidisciplinary teams, which aim to provide GPs with the necessary resources to deliver quality healthcare services to eligible Australians. The budget will allocate an extra $500 million to assist General Practitioners in recruiting a diverse team of healthcare professionals, including nurses and physiotherapists. Most of this funding will increase the highest incentive payment that clinics can claim for this purpose, raising it to $130,000 annually.
In addition to increased incentives, the new MyMedicare system will allow patients to register as continuing patients with their doctor, unlocking extra benefits such as longer telehealth phone sessions. Overall, this budget aims to improve the financial sustainability of practices by providing greater support to practitioners providing quality healthcare for their patients.
The government plans to allocate $47.8 million over five years, starting from 2022-23, and an ongoing $12.3 million per year, with the aim of enhancing chronic wound care. This will be achieved through the establishment of the Chronic Wound Consumables Scheme, which will offer subsidised wound care materials to eligible individuals. This includes those aged 65 and above with diabetes, and First Nations people aged 50 and over. Additionally, this measure includes provisions for educating and training healthcare professionals on managing chronic wounds effectively. The implementation of this scheme will not only offer immediate relief for affected individuals but also aims to reduce long-term complications and hospital admissions related to chronic wound conditions. Overall there has been a slated “major revamp” for health.
Impact on Patients
The budget’s healthcare initiatives will benefit patients in several ways. Firstly, in addition to existing Medicare rebates, GPs will receive an additional incentive to bulk bill children, pensioners and concession card holders based on location. Practitioners will be eligible for these additional incentives based on the practices Modified Monash Model classification.
The recent budget announcement promises a considerable shift in Australian healthcare, focusing on patient accessibility and thorough care. A key feature is the $3.5 billion investment to triple bulk-billing incentives, which is expected to enhance access to free GP consultations for children under 16, pensioners, and concession card holders. This will undeniably relieve the financial strain on these vulnerable demographics.
Increased incentives for GPs, based on their location under the “Modified Monash Model,” will further encourage bulk-billing practices, resulting in more affordable healthcare for patients in diverse regions. Introducing a new Medicare rebate for 60-minute consultations will cater to patients requiring more extensive visits, such as women and those seeking mental health support.
The proposed MyMedicare system allows patients to register as continuing patients with their doctor, opening up longer telehealth sessions and enabling bulk-billing incentives to be applied to these extended consultations. This is a step forward in accommodating the shift towards telehealth after the pandemic.
The modernisation of MyHealth Record and the establishment of the Chronic Wound Consumables Scheme represent substantial improvements in patient care, while the move to connect regular emergency department users with GPs could significantly reduce hospital admissions. All these measures signal a promising future for patient-centred care in Australia.
Impact on Health System Sustainability
The budget’s healthcare initiatives aim to address issues such as workforce shortages, rising costs, and chronic disease management, which are critical to the sustainability of the Australian health system. The budget measures are set to impact the Australian health system’s sustainability significantly, with the government encouraging healthcare providers to offer more affordable services to vulnerable groups by tripling bulk-billing incentives. This strategy is expected to alleviate pressure on the public health system as more individuals can access primary care services.
Reduced strain on emergency departments
The MyMedicare system is attempting to reduce the strain on emergency departments by incentivising GPs to register frequent emergency department users as their patients. This should result in fewer non-emergency presentations at hospitals, freeing up resources for more critical cases.
Investing in multidisciplinary care by providing funds for GPs to hire additional health professionals, such as nurses and physiotherapists, will further enhance primary care and alleviate the burden on secondary and tertiary services. This approach not only enhances patient care but also ensures the efficient use of healthcare resources.
Improved interoperability and after hours programs
The modernisation of the MyHealth Record and the establishment of a new National Repository platform are significant steps towards a more integrated and efficient health system. Improved data sharing will facilitate better care coordination, reduce duplication, and save costs.
A sum of $77.9 million is being allocated to extend the After Hours Program run by Primary Health Networks (PHN). This funding is intended to assist general practices in addressing service availability issues outside of regular hours. By extending this program, the health system aims to ensure that patients can access necessary care at any hour, thereby enhancing the overall accessibility of healthcare services. This will also likely reduce the pressure on emergency departments, as patients with non-emergency conditions will have an alternative means of seeking care after hours.
These measures will hopefully promote a more efficient, coordinated, and sustainable healthcare system, with a stronger focus on preventive and primary care. But the question remains, could more have been done?
Bringing it all together
The Australian Government’s budget has significant implications for healthcare in the country. While the funding for healthcare initiatives is a step in the right direction, there is still much work to be done to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Australian health system. The government needs to work closely with healthcare providers and patient advocacy groups to address concerns and ensure that the healthcare needs of all Australians are met.
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