New incentives have come into effect to encourage doctors to bulk-bill for every visit.
Previously, general practitioners were financially rewarded by the government every time they bulk-billed a concession card holder or child under 16.
Now doctors will receive that payment when they bulk-bill any patient.
However, the scheme is not compulsory and doesn’t apply to everything you may see a GP for.
The government hopes nine out of 10 appointments will be free by 2030, but there are concerns that doctors are not signing up for the initiative.
James Gillespie, the CEO of the healthcare directory Cleanbill, says there is a way to go before reaching the government’s target.
