Medicare reviews make calls
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The Australian government has completed three key reviews of Medicare and primary care systems.
The reviews are part of a broader initiative stemming from the recommendations of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce, a group that includes healthcare professionals, rural and Indigenous representatives, and patient advocates.
The three reviews are:
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The Review of General Practice Incentives (Incentives Review): Conducted by a panel of nine primary care experts, this review evaluated the incentive payments provided to GPs and general practices under Medicare. It recommended significant changes, including a new payment model to better support multidisciplinary care, with a call for increased investment by the Commonwealth to future-proof the system.
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The Review of After Hours Primary Care Programs and Policy (After Hours Review): This review assessed the effectiveness of after-hours care, identifying five main areas for improvement. It noted that the current system is complex and fragmented, making it difficult for patients to navigate. Recommendations include improving accessibility, safety, and integration of after-hours care with the urgent care system to ease pressure on emergency departments. The review also highlighted the need to ensure financial viability for providers and support for after-hours services in regional, rural, and remote areas.
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The Working Better for Medicare Review: Led by Professor Sabina Knight and Adjunct Professor Mick Reid, this review explored how to improve workforce distribution, particularly in underserved areas. Among the 26 recommendations were changes to policies aimed at attracting healthcare professionals to regional and remote locations.
The government says it is committed to consulting with the healthcare sector before acting on the recommendations, and would seek to balance the reforms with minimal disruption to healthcare providers and patients.