The Federal Government is investing in Medicare for Victorians.
On November 1, the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare took effect.
The government is tripling the bulk billing incentive for local GPs.
The indexation boost and tripling of the bulk billing incentive provide an increase to the Medicare payments that GPs get to bulk bill eligible patients.
This means in regional and rural Australia, a doctor will get about 48 per cent more for the same visit.
These changes will make it easier for Victorians in the Goulburn Valley to find a bulk billing doctor.
The Federal Government is also investing in a $1.5 billion indexation boost across the board towards Medicare rebates, increasing the amount that doctors receive for Medicare services, aiming to reduce pressure on GPs.
“Having grown up in regional Victoria and coming from a family that relied on doctors bulk billing to get our health needs looked after, I know how important it is for local communities to be able to see a doctor when and where they need it,“ Victorian Senator Jana Stewart said.
“Labor’s historic investments into bulk billing will deliver targeted cost of living relief to Victoria’s regional and rural communities without adding to inflation.”