Doctors dispute billions being lost in Medicare fraud

Billions of dollars are being siphoned away from healthcare through fraudulent Medicare billing. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Overcharging on medical bills and rorting the public health system is costing taxpayers up to $5000 a minute, a health union says.

But the peak professional body representing doctors says the numbers don't add up in a Health Services Union (HSU) report that paints a picture of fraud in the $30 billion Medicare Benefits Schedule scheme.