The federal government is giving incentive payments for doctors who bulk bill children, pensioners and those on health care cards, as GPs will now receive up to $40 extra for each eligible patient.

It’s the biggest increase in incentive payments in Medicare history, which will cost us $3.5 billion.

The Health Minister, Mark Butler, says this policy will have immediate benefits for more than 11 million Australians, but Dr Nick Coatsworth told Ben Fordham that there is a “pretty big hole” that needs filling.

“There are 11.6 million Australians eligible for this, which means it’s still up to the GP to decide whether to bulk bill or charge someone a gap,” Dr Coatsworth explained.

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