The Latest Breaking News from Margaret Faux

Up to $3 billion in taxpayer money lost to Medicare fraud and non-compliance annually, government review finds

Between $1.5 billion to $3 billion is being lost to Medicare fraud and non-compliance every year, according to an independent review that also warns the overly-complex system is out of date and risks bleeding more taxpayer money.

ABC News · Apr 4, 2023

Medicare fraud and non-compliance costing taxpayers up to $3bn, review finds

Government-commissioned report argues structural reform is essential and requires a simpler, clearer billing system

The Guardian - AU · Apr 4, 2023

Independent inquiry into Medicare fraud

Health Minister Mark Butler has launched an independent inquiry into fraud, inappropriate billing and over-servicing within the Medicare system.

AAP · Nov 4, 2022

Telehealth company bulk-billing patients at the same time as charging a fee, documents show

Systemic rorting of Medicare is artificially inflating official statistics that almost nine out of 10 patients are bulk-billed by their doctor and don't pay any out-of-pocket costs.

ABC News · Oct 17, 2022

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

The federal government labels an investigation uncovering widespread rorting of Medicare as "troubling", ordering a report from the Health Department.

ABC News · Oct 17, 2022

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

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, according to the findings of an expert.

ABC News · Oct 16, 2022

Why is my doctor no longer bulk billing and is Medicare in crisis?

Increasingly, GPs in Australia say the amount they are reimbursed is not enough to cover expenses, and they have little option but to pass costs on to patients

The Guardian - AU · Aug 11, 2022

‘A great big lie’: researcher disputes government claim that 90% of GP visits are bulk-billed

The Consumers Health Forum says it too has ‘been sceptical for some time about claims of high rates of bulk billing’

The Guardian - AU · May 7, 2022

Pregnant women increasingly left out of pocket by Medicare antenatal consultations, doctors say

Peak GPs body calls for Medicare rebate to be extended to cover growing complexity of care for expectant mothers

The Guardian - AU · Apr 5, 2022

Medicare fraud by providers is rampant and government bulk-billing figures are a ‘lie’, review finds

As few as 30% of patients being properly bulk-billed despite health minister claiming it is nearly 90%, report says

The Guardian - AU · Mar 5, 2022