Are you wondering what’s changing and how it might impact you? Here’s what you need to know.

Many practices that currently charge gap fees have announced a switch to fully bulk billing, with nearly a thousand making this transition by next week. Some are already bulk-billing, but these additional practices will increase the availability of bulk-billing services.

Expectations are high that more practices will communicate similar decisions this week, ahead of Saturday’s deadline.

The anticipation is that the number of participating practices will grow in the coming years, and there is satisfaction with the initial wave of support.

What does it mean for doctors?

General Practitioners have expressed dissatisfaction with the division of the 12.5% Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Payment (BBPIP) between doctors and practices, arguing it may benefit larger corporate clinics more and deter some providers from opting in.

Despite these concerns, the government maintains that the new system will offer significant financial benefits to doctors.

“Two years ago, a full-time, fully bulk-billing GP would have been earning about $280,000 a year after they paid their practice costs,” Butler said. 

“From this weekend, they’ll be earning $405,000 a year, a $125,000 increase. 

“This investment is obviously good for the Medicare system, good for patients, but it’s also good for GPs themselves.