‘Bulk-billing is untenable’: 53% of GP practices planning fee hikes

A survey of 200 practices found widespread plans to ditch bulk-billing.
Sarah Simpkins
Matt Gilchrist.

More than half of GP practices plan to reduce bulk-billing and increase gap fees this year, according to the Commonwealth Bank’s annual report on general practice.

The survey of 204 practices found that 38% had cut back on bulk-billing last year, compared with just 3% who had made similar moves in 2021.

But 55% said they planned to reduce bulk-billing in 2023.

And 53% planned to increase the fee for a standard consultations as well, with the Commonwealth Bank tipping the median fee for a Level B consultation to rise from $80 to $85.