Tasmanians tell us they can't afford MRI or CT scans. Will changes to Medicare address that?

1 week, 6 days ago

Lukewarm response to online payment rule at government scan centres

Patients undergoing Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans at government hospitals in Tiruchi district are still adjusting to the mandatory rule of non-cash payments for the diagnostic tests. Digital payments are easy for those who know how to use a smartphone, and I do not own one,” said Ariyamangalam resident Jahir Usain, who had come for a scan at …

Payments Digital Payments Digital Online Patients Hospital Payment

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Calls to 'axe the fax' machine from Australia's 'outdated' medical referrals system

ABC

There's a growing push in Australia's medical circles to do away with antiquated fax machines amid concerns the country's medical referral and documentation system is outdated. Samantha Prime co-authored a 2020 report by the Deeble Institute for Health Policy on Australia's referral system and said it dated back to 1970. In 2023, Sydney Children's Hospital Network committed to "axe the …

Health Record Medical Medicare Digital Hospitals Cent

3 months ago

The system is broken. Patients should have care closer to home from a familiar face, writes Health Secretary WES STREETING

Daily Mail

Back in the summer, I pledged to fix the front door to the NHS, making clear to GPs that the cavalry was coming. However, since taking office, we have already significantly increased monthly payments to practices, are investing an extra £100million to upgrade the crumbling GP estate, and we're starting to hire 1,000 extra doctors who, without our action, would …

Health Patients Nhs General Practice Extra Doctors

4 months, 3 weeks ago

Minister warns cancer patients’ scans will be cancelled over ‘severe’ supply shortages

The Independent

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Cancer scans …

Health Cancer Independent Email Health Check Shortage

4 months, 3 weeks ago

Healthcare affordability crisis poll shows millions skipping treatment and struggling to find bulk-billing doctors

ABC

Almost half of all Australians have put off the medical treatment they need due to the cost, exclusive research for the ABC's Q+A has found. Bulk-billing harder to access Mr Butler said the government's $3.5 billion investment in bulk-billing — tripling incentives for doctors — had delivered 5 million additional no-fee GP visits since last November. But there was little …

Health Insurance Medicare Dental Poll Cent Australians

8 months, 1 week ago

Celebrities are getting $2,000 MRI scans to learn about their health. Should you?

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The company says it doesn’t …

Health Medical Durand Hawk Mri Scans Prenuvo Scans Mri

8 months, 2 weeks ago

If Victorian hospitals need more funding 'we will do so', Premier Jacinta Allan says

ABC

Premier Jacinta Allan has softened her government's tough stance on reining in hospital spending, promising to pour extra money into healthcare to prevent patient care being compromised. The premier has previously lashed out at "scaremongering", after health sector bodies warned proposed budget cuts would result in less frontline staff and the winding back of planned surgeries. "If government needs to …

Health Patient Care Care Hospitals Health Services Premier Need

1 year ago

GPs call for stop to payroll tax, warning vulnerable patients will be worse off

ABC

In short: From July 1, doctors working in general practices in SA will be liable for payroll tax. RACGP state chair Sian Goodson said a New South Wales tribunal ruling in 2022 sparked a change to the interpretation of payroll tax, deeming doctors as employees of GP clinics instead of contractors. "Practices simply can't absorb this cost, so unfortunately that's …

General Tax Patients Doctors Going Australian Gps

1 year, 1 month ago

Tasmanians tell their stories about the state's ailing healthcare system

ABC

In short: The ABC asked Tasmanians about their experiences using the state's public health system and while some people had positive stories to tell, others wrote of failures in treatment and long waits to be seen. The ABC asked Tasmanians about their experiences using the state's public health system and while some people had positive stories to tell, others wrote …

Health Healthcare Emergency Care Hours System Remi

1 year, 4 months ago

Doctors say proposed telehealth changes could 'penalise' regional and vulnerable patients

ABC

A proposal to axe Medicare rebates for initial telehealth appointments with specialists has been called "discriminatory" by regional Australians, while doctors warn it could "penalise" patients. Key points: A government committee has recommended scrapping Medicare rebates for initial telehealth appointments with specialists The AMA says that will penalise already disadvantaged patients The government says the report is not final and …

Medicare Access Patients Care Report Perth Regional

1 year, 6 months ago

Labour will pay GPs extra if they let patients see the doctor of their choice

The Independent

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The party is planning to end a “like it or lump it” approach to …

Health Labour Nhs Mr Streeting Choice Streeting Let Patients

1 year, 7 months ago

Patients could skip their GP for cancer checks, says Barclay

The Independent

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Health Barclay

1 year, 10 months ago

Melbourne GP says Medicare incentives unlikely to make it easier to see bulk-bulling doctor

ABC

Most people seeing a doctor will remain ineligible for bulk-billing appointments at general practitioners despite the federal government's move to triple incentives for some members of the population, the Australian GP Alliance says. Key points: The incentive will support about 11.6 million Australians who are eligible to see a doctor without paying an out-of-pocket fee That incentive will increase in …

Patients Pay Incentives Cost Doctor Practice Dr Haikerwal

2 years ago

NSW GPs, tax specialists want healthcare clinics excluded from payroll tax

ABC

GPs say medical centres in NSW could be forced to shut down or charge patients higher fees if a court decision finds clinics are liable for payroll tax. Key points: NSW GPs want state government to follow Queensland and delay enforcement of new payroll tax burden on medical practices If changes go ahead, GPs warn doctors fees will rise further …

Healthcare Medical King Queensland Nsw Gps Clinics

2 years, 1 month ago

Sir Rod Stewart visits NHS hospital where he paid for patients’ scans

The Independent

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sir Rod Stewart said he wanted to “prove I’m not …

Hospital Sir Ryan Scans Ukrainians Rod Stewart Sir Rod

2 years, 1 month ago

Scheme for patients needing to travel for specialist care not meeting needs of all rural patients despite overhaul, doctors say

ABC

Doctors are concerned a patient travel scheme is not going far enough in ensuring rural Tasmanians access the healthcare they need. Key points: Tasmania's Patient Travel Assistance Scheme provides financial assistance to those needing to travel for specialised medical services Non-concession card holders have to pay $82.50 towards each return journey, meaning a patient travelling 500km would only get about …

Health Travel Financial Rural Financial Assistance Scheme Patient

2 years, 1 month ago

Queensland government considers giving affected GP clinics more time to make arrangements for payroll tax

ABC

The Queensland government has moved to allay a doctors' payroll tax dispute by offering general practices a two-and-a-half year reprieve to work through the issues. Key points: GP clinics could be given several years to sort out payroll tax implications It comes after a ruling that GPs are employees of clinics for payroll tax purposes There is concern the cost …

Medical Tax Work Doctors Queensland Dick Gps

2 years, 1 month ago

Queensland medical bodies warn of escalating costs to visit GPs due to payroll tax clash

ABC

Queensland's peak medical bodies are warning the cost of going to the doctor could skyrocket as general practice comes under more strain due to a clash over tax law. In December, the Queensland Revenue Office put out a ruling confirming that GPs are employees for payroll tax purposes and that the fees they receive from patients via the medical clinics …

Medical Medicare General Tax Patients Pay State

2 years, 1 month ago

Rod Stewart paying for medical scans – what’s next? Ant and Dec taking out your appendix?

The Independent

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Scary buzz phrases like “managed decline” …

Health Pay Stewart Nhs Tory Ant Dec

2 years, 3 months ago

Wes Streeting interview: Failures in the NHS mean I still don’t know if I’m clear of cancer

The Telegraph

Wes Streeting is waiting. “I don’t consider myself to be in the worst position,” he says – he feels “pretty certain” he will, eventually, get good news – “but there is a reason we do six-month follow-up scans for people like me, and my family are even more nervous than I am about it.” What really “infuriates” the MP – …

Nhs Scan Streeting Interview Failures

2 years, 3 months ago

Medicare no longer works for patients or doctors, Grattan Institute says

ABC

Rural GP Ewen McPhee is overworked. Key points: Grattan Institute report health expert says "system built 40 years ago actually needs major updating" The report recommends changing how doctors work and are paid It says the current system rewards GPs for quick consultations "I'm seeing general practices closing almost daily around me now and that I've never seen before coming …

Healthcare Medicare Patients Care Doctors Report Institute

2 years, 4 months ago

Tasmania doesn't have enough GPs to meet the growing demand — and experts warn it will get worse

ABC

When Liz Christie heard her regular GP was retiring from the profession, she was disappointed, but figured she would just switch to another doctor in the Battery Point clinic — then she got a message saying she would need to find a new practice. Key points: There are currently about 60 full-time equivalent GP positions available in Tasmania A Deloitte …

Medical Patients Doctor Need Point Tasmania Gps

2 years, 5 months ago

When it comes to Medicare rorts, doctors alone aren't the problem — the system is

ABC

When a patient goes to the doctor, they aren't thinking: "Right, I can only spend nine minutes talking about my diabetes and that'll leave me another eight to talk about mental health." Misuse of Medicare is costing Australians $8 billion a year, expert says Photo shows A medicare card Doctors are abusing the $28 billion Medicare system, at times putting …

Health Medicare Tests Patients Care Doctors System

2 years, 5 months ago

How are medical professionals rorting Medicare systems? Do patients know? Are they liable?

ABC

The $28 billion Medicare system is being abused by medical professionals who are rorting processes, and the fraud, errors and over-servicing is costing an estimated $8 billion a year. According to the investigation, inappropriate billing happens during the Medicare claims process, which patients usually aren't involved in. Here's how to do it: Sign into your myGov account If you've already …

Health Medicare Services Claims Medical Professionals Mygov Investigation Reports

2 years, 5 months ago

Expert estimates $8 billion a year lost to Medicare fraud and waste

ABC

Doctors are abusing the $28 billion Medicare system, at times putting patients at risk, billing dead people and falsifying patient records, all to boost profits. Key points: Medicare expert Dr Margaret Faux believes wrongful claims are being applied to millions of billings The inappropriate billing occurs in all areas of the health sector Revelations about the rorting of Medicare is …

Health Medicare Fraud Billion Herald Dr Faux Margaret Faux

2 years, 5 months ago

Federal government describes reports of Medicare fraud as 'troubling', AMA condemns 'unjustified slur' on doctors

ABC

The federal government has labelled an investigation uncovering widespread rorting of Medicare as "troubling," declaring it will seek to get to the bottom of the issue and ordering a report from the Health Department. Key points: Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the government will seek to get to the bottom of allegations of Medicare rorting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the …

Health Medicare Doctors Department System

2 years, 5 months ago

Family doctors warn that GP surgeries may close en masse amid funding and recruitment crisis

ABC

Three in four family doctors say they are burnt-out, and most practice owners fear they will close their surgeries due to mounting costs, a survey has found. Key points: A survey of GPs finds most say they are burnt-out, and one in four will retire shortly Family doctors' Medicare payments have increased just $6 in 14 years for a typical …

Family Medicare Australia Price Doctors College Remote

2 years, 5 months ago

Mass exodus of GPs from health system prompts dire warning from regional doctors

ABC

Yarrawonga-based doctor Clyde Ronan has been working in general practice for 40 years. Key points: The Rural Doctors Association is calling for immediate reform of the GP system A high number of GPs are leaving the industry across the country Doctors say there are not enough new recruits to replace those leaving Now 70, he says while he still enjoys …

Rural Doctors Doctor Need Junior Doctors Gps Ronan

2 years, 5 months ago

Doctor warns failures in outdated Medicare bulk-billing system risk tipping health system over edge

ABC

A Melbourne GP has warned quality healthcare could soon be reserved for the rich, with poor and vulnerable patients already forced to run the gauntlet of clogged emergency wards. Key points: A Melbourne GP says old and vulnerable patients are putting off care because they can no longer afford it GPs have been forced to pass on gap fees to …

Health Healthcare Medicare General Patients Care Need

2 years, 6 months ago

Doctor shortage 'will worsen' as young doctors walk away from general practice

ABC

A Queensland doctor with more than 40 years of experience is warning that Australia's doctor shortage is likely to get worse and that more medical practices could close as graduates abandon general practice as a specialty. A GP says that's because medical professionals with a narrower focus stand to make three or four times as much as GPs The federal …

Health Medical General Pay Doctors Doctor Practice

2 years, 6 months ago

Patients charged expensive out-of-pocket fees as doctors stop bulk billing

ABC

Perth mother Jayme Lees has been bulk billed by her GP for the past six years, but when she took her newborn son for a check-up in June she was hit with a hefty, unexpected fee. Key points: An increasing number of GPs are moving away from bulk-billing There are concerns vulnerable people will miss out on medical care GPs …

Health Medical Medicare Patients Care Practice Her Son

2 years, 7 months ago

Man dies from cancer after hospital lost scan that revealed tumour in kidney

The Independent

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Trust Hospital Nhs Living Well Tumour Scan Lane

2 years, 7 months ago

Former health secretary Matt Hancock pushes back against doctors' calls for pay rise

Daily Mail

Former Heath Secretary Matt Hancock today pushed back against calls from doctors and nurses unions, which are balloting members on whether they should strike over pay Taxpayer cash should be spent on speeding up NHS treatment and operations rather than boosting doctors' salaries, former Health Secretary Matt Hancock suggested today amid an NHS pay row. Mr Hancock pushed back against …

Health Strike Pay Doctors Plans Cent Hancock

2 years, 7 months ago

Get set to pay more at the GP as doctors warn bulk-billing system will collapse without major Medicare overhaul

ABC

GPs are warning that your days of finding a bulk-billing doctor could be numbered. Key points: Doctors say the bulk-billing system could collapse without a significant Medicare funding hike A recent survey reports one in five GPs has recently changed their billing model The Australian Medical Association believes the federal government will fix the looming crisis They say without a …

Health Medicare Funding Patients Doctors Need Dr Willett

2 years, 9 months ago

Regional clinics sweep in changes to bulk-billing amid rising costs and doctor shortages

ABC

In line with a growing national trend, GPs in regional South Australia are scrapping bulk-billed appointments for some patients. Key points: Doctors say the Medicare rebate is not keeping up with climbing costs, including insurance premiums SA regional clinics are dumping bulk-billing for urgent appointments as doctor shortages impact on resources The federal government has promised $146m in initiatives to …

Health Medicare Appointments Doctors Patient Clinics Mark Butler

2 years, 9 months ago

Former Melbourne resident regrets regional move due to lack of GP services

ABC

A former Melbourne resident says he "probably" would not have moved regionally if he knew how bad access to medical services was in north-west Victoria. Key points: Red Cliffs resident Bryan Dyck says he had no idea finding a bulk-billing GP would be so hard when he moved from Melbourne Waiting times at the two bulk-billing clinics in the Mildura …

Medical Medicare Melbourne Rebate Bulk New Patients Mildura

2 years, 10 months ago

Regional doctors call on politicians to end Medicare rebate freeze after election amid GP shortage

ABC

With 4,000 patients on his records, Hussain Anjum knows the stress of being the only GP in a regional town. Key points: Regional GPs are calling for an end to the Medicare rebate freeze Doctors claim a reduction of general practice trainees in recent years is a direct result of the freeze It means GPs are being paid the same …

Medicare Doctors Practice Come Regional Six Months Rebate

2 years, 10 months ago

State governments, doctors pressure major parties for election commitment to permanent increase on hospital funding

ABC

The states and territories are mobilising for a stoush with both sides of federal politics over public hospital funding, as doctors warn patients will suffer unless more money is committed. Key points: At the moment, the Commonwealth picks up 45 percent of the costs for public hospitals, with states and territories covering the rest A 50:50 split and removal of …

Health States Funding Care Commonwealth Hospital State

2 years, 11 months ago

Tasmanians waiting weeks for doctors as regional GP shortage puts pressure on EDs

ABC

For Tasmanian Denis Webber, booking an appointment with his GP when he is feeling unwell or needs medication is not always simple. Key points: Tasmania is experiencing a GP shortage, resulting in more people seeking treatment at their nearest hospital Residents in the town of Sorell in southern Tasmania are waiting weeks to get an appointment with their GP clinic …

Emergency Doctors Hospital Tasmania Tasmanian Shortage Emergency Departments

3 years ago

Critics say Australia's private health insurance system is broken. Here's what they say we can do to fix it

ABC

It's a question many Australians are asking when confronted with their private health insurance payments these days: Why are the premiums so high? These are the Medicare levy surcharge, the private health insurance rebate and lifetime health cover loading. Australians without private health insurance who earn more than $90,000 a year, or $180,000 a household, face a 1 to 1.5 …

Health Insurance Medicare Tax Age Health Insurance Young People

3 years, 4 months ago

Doctor takes bid to treat patient with MDMA to court, in first case of its kind in Australia

ABC

A Melbourne doctor who is fighting for permission to treat a severely unwell patient with the drug MDMA has taken his battle to court, in what is believed to be the first case of its kind in Australia. Key points: A lawyer representing Dr Kotler says the psychiatrist believes using the drug would safely help his patient The TGA is …

Court Case Drug Mdma Treat Dr Kotler Kotler

3 years, 5 months ago

NSW cancer patients are abandoning treatment over cost, inquiry told

ABC

A state parliamentary inquiry has heard cancer patients in regional and rural New South Wales are not pursuing treatment or skipping their health appointments because of the cost. Key points: Rural cancer patients are abandoning treatment because of cost Doctors are pleading for greater input in funding and staffing decisions There have been warnings of tension between clinicians and health …

Health Medical Treatment Rural Inquiry Patients Cost

3 years, 8 months ago

Doctors warn health services in regional SA could 'self-destruct' as contract negotiations stall

ABC

South Australian doctors warn health services outside Adelaide will "self-destruct" if negotiations for a new contract covering regional doctors are not successful. Key points: The agreement under which regional doctors work in SA hospitals has expired Negotiations with the state government to renew the agreement have stalled Doctors want more pay, support and professional development opportunities The state's Rural Doctors …

Health Services Port Health Services Service Doctors Hospital

3 years, 10 months ago

Tasmanian rural doctor shortage unlikely to ease despite incentives, AMA says

ABC

Sarah Ena lives in constant fear of her seven-year-old daughter Miekah getting sick. Key points: Doctors say the rural doctor incentive scheme is not going to help attract doctors to rural areas in Tasmania Doctors in few parts of Tasmania would receive the maximum incentive Doctors say the government should up the incentive and think of other solutions Ms Ena …

Rural Doctors Incentives Doctor Tasmania Tasmanian Incentive

3 years, 11 months ago

The recommended wait for Craig's surgery is 90 days, but he's been waiting four years

ABC

Once a keen fisherman, Craig Ayers watches on in envy as boats motor away from the boat ramp at Primrose Sands. Key points: Tasmania has the longest wait times in the country for hip and knee replacements — an average wait of 286 days for hip surgery and 462 days for knee There were 12,086 Tasmanians waiting for elective surgery …

Health Support Surgery Hospital Craig Wait Waiting

4 years ago

Tasmanian Premier splashes cash on COVID recovery recommendations in unusual economic update

ABC

Easier access to medicinal cannabis, millions of dollars for youth mental health services and turning TasTAFE into a government business are among a raft of announcements in a wide-ranging economic update from the Tasmanian Premier. Key points: The Tasmanian Premier made a number of funding announcements in his State of the State address They include $41 million to improve youth …

State Million Premier Tasmanian Medicinal Cannabis Tasmanian Premier Mr Gutwein

4 years, 6 months ago

Heart Disease Bankrupted Him Once. Now He Faces Another $10,000 Medical Bill

NPR

Heart Disease Bankrupted Him Once. Sponsor Message What gives: Fentress says he always made sure to take jobs with health insurance, "so I thought I'd be all right." Fentress owed around $5,000 after his 2017 hospitalization, also at Baptist Health Louisville, and set up a monthly payment plan, but says he was sent to collections after missing a $150 payment. …

Health Insurance Medical Costs Heart Pay Financial Aid

4 years, 10 months ago

Fears rise for UK’s non-coronavirus patients as backlog grows

Al Jazeera

Patients with non-urgent ailments are staying home but what impact could this have on individuals and the health system? “The fear if this extends over a long period of time, if I do get worse, that it will have a similar effect on my other eye, because I only have one eye to depend on.” Responding to Al Jazeera’s request …

Cancer Coronavirus Patients Hospital Eye Going Khan

4 years, 11 months ago

Cancer patient faces anxious wait as vital surgery is delayed due to coronavirus concerns

ABC

A north-west Tasmanian man says he is growing more worried every day as delays for urgent cancer surgery drag on because he is from the same region as the state's coronavirus epicentre. Key points: Devonport man Phil Purnell fears his cancer is getting worse while he waits for a mastectomy He says he is unable to have surgery because his …

Cancer Coronavirus Patients Hospital North Private Private Hospitals

Tasmanians tell us they can't afford MRI or CT scans. Will changes to Medicare address that?

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