Gap fees for DVA card holders ‘a concerning trend’: RSL
The charity has called for a review of the DVA fee schedule.
GPs are increasingly ditching bulk-billing for veterans, says the RSL, which places the blame on inadequate rebates from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Last month, a group of three GP practices in Canberra wrote to 600 veterans announcing their “sad decision” to stop bulk-billing White Card holders.
Although DVA rebates were 15% higher than the equivalent Medicare items, practice owner Dr Mel Deery said the mark-up did not compensate for the diminishing rebates on offer for longer consults, which many veterans required.
The Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) said Dr Deery’s practice was not an isolated example.
