Tasmanian GPs have continued calls for a full review of government Medicare rebates, with many struggling to cover quality, affordable services for their patients.
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It comes amid predictions of further forced closures or amalgamations of practices, as the industry comes to terms with the fallout from COVID-19.
Australian Medical Association Tasmania spokesman Dr John Saul said many practices were coming out of what had been a very challenging few months.
However, he said issues around bulk-billing and payment gaps had been ongoing for years.
"There are multiple factors. We've certainly got rising costs and we've got a Medicare rebate that just isn't keeping up with the price of inflation," he said.
"The Medicare rebate has lost its relevance with our current cost base. If we go back six months, it's really been dwindling and our ability to provide quality services has just been harder and harder."
It's estimated many Tasmanian general practices have experienced a revenue drop of between 15 to 30 per cent during COVID-19.
While complimentary of the government's response throughout the pandemic, Dr Saul condemned the behaviour of national telehealth services reportedly poaching patients away from community practice.
He said Tasmania had already experienced practice closures, particularly in the North-West, with more likely without further government intervention.
"A simple, first line thing would be to fully review the Medicare rebate and increase it," he said.
"We all want to provide quality medicine ... but that comes with nursing staff, support staff, and good phone and internet services.
"That just doesn't happen on the Medicare rebate at the moment. Certainly the smaller, isolated practices, they can't get the GPs.
"They can't cover their costs and they can't provide a suitable incomes for their doctors. So there will be more closures."
The issues were among those raised with federal Health Minister Greg Hunt last October as part of a Tasmanian health forum.
Bass Liberal MHR Bridget Archer said she was continuing her fight to address the challenges, including the way regional cities like Launceston are classified under the Modified Monash Model - used to determine the placing of medical practitioners in communities of greatest need.
"Last month, I brought together a number of general practices together [via video] with the department and the Minister for Regional Services, Mark Coulton," she said.
"Each GP was able to discuss in detail the problem that the MMM posed to their practice. Following these video calls, I have been working with my colleagues to further find solutions that create real change for our health professionals and our community.
"There are a range of current challenges faced by a number of our general practices in northern Tasmania due to the MMM classification and am working to effectively change."
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
