CHF urges Medicare revamp
October 31, 2013
Consumers Health Forum ceo Carol Bennett says that the time has come to rethink Medicare, with the existing system crying out for re-engineering towards “wellness services” rather than the “one-off disconnected medical services that the current fee-for-service system encourages”. In an editorial published in the Australian, Bennett argues in favour of a well-resourced integrated primary care system, which would offer a more comprehensive and effective response to many of today’s chronic diseases. In such a situation the GP would lead a team of other health professionals who would oversee much of the regular that chronically ill patients need. Bennett said the current approach offers limited avenues for doctors and patients to harness the most appropriate care of support, with a possibility being a “performance based payment system” which provides incentives for both doctors and patients to reach shared goals. “Personalised health budgets and outcomes-based payments warrant consideration,” Bennett wrote. She highlighted the surging costs of Medicare, which is forecasted to account for $23.6 billion in government spending in the next four years, a rise of $4.5 billion. And despite this, growing out-ofpocket costs for medical care are unacceptable and for many people unaffordable, Bennett said. She was writing in response to the “annual ritual” of the Australian Medical Association which “is reminding us how Medicare benefit payments fail to meet general practitioners’ income aspirations”. GP’s receive $36.30 for a standard consultation, less than half the AMA’s recommended $73.
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