Strengthen Medicare to put patients at the centre of healthcare
Implement a blended payment model for primary health care providers, supporting the transition of individual practices and encouraging patients to enrol in such models of care.
Early detection and effective management of noncommunicable diseases requires a patient-centred, affordable and accessible health system. While Australia’s health system performs well overall, there are opportunities to improve accessibility and navigation for patients. Minimising out-of-pocket health expenses will help ensure that more Australians can access the care they need without facing financial hardship.
There is a clear need to implement a new blended payment model for primary health care providers, one that supports a multidisciplinary, team-based health care that better meets patient needs. Under this model, 60% of funding would
come through Medicare fee-for-service system, while the remaining 40% is intended to enable other healthcare professionals to join primary care teams to fund a comprehensive package of services addressing broader patient health needs.4
This approach would promote more patient centred care and offer greater flexibility within the health workforce, reducing the reliance on fee-for-service as the primary income source for General Practice.4
Read the full statement to learn more.
References:
4. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care 2024. Review of General Practice Incentives. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/review-of-general-practice-incentives