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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Melissa Davey Medical editor

What are the budget’s changes to bulk billing and when will they take effect?

The Consumers Health Forum chief executive, Dr Elizabeth Deveny, has urged the government to educate healthcare consumers on the changes.
The Consumers Health Forum chief executive, Dr Elizabeth Deveny, has urged the government to educate healthcare consumers on the changes. Photograph: AAP

With a tripling of the bulk-billing incentive for GPs announced in Tuesday night’s budget, some patients have already begun turning up to their doctor asking to be bulk-billed, the Consumers Health Forum (CHF) chief executive, Dr Elizabeth Deveny, has said.

It’s no surprise people have been quick to respond to the news, given it is more difficult than ever to find a bulk-billing doctor, and the cost of living is rising. But Deveny said there are key details to understand before hoping to get a bulk-billed GP appointment.

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