Special care changes needed as costs push patients away
High specialist medical costs cause almost two million Australians to delay or skip appointments, but a report suggests stripping public funding to doctors charging excessive fees could be part of the remedy.
About 1.9 million Australians are delaying or skipping critical medical care due to exorbitant fees for specialist doctors, a report by public policy think tank the Grattan Institute has found.
Some private specialist doctors charge patients two to three times more than the rate Medicare sets for those services, the report found.
It said patients of one specialist forked out an average of $300 per year in 2023 - up 73 per cent since 2010.
Average out-of-pocket costs for extreme-fee-charging specialists in 2023 reached $671 for psychiatry services and more than $350 for endocrinology, cardiology, paediatrics, immunology and neurology services.
The high costs leave critical health care out of reach for millions, causing patients in poorer pockets of Australia to wait months or years for urgent appointments, and leading to missed diagnoses, avoidable pain and added pressure on hospitals.
About four in 10 Australians visited a specialist in 2023/24.
About two-thirds across all specialties are private appointments, with patients receiving a Medicare rebate and paying a gap fee.
Grattan's Health Program director Peter Breadon said the system was broken from start to end.
"Everywhere, from how the system is planned and how training is funded through to how we target public investment and integrate the system between primary care and specialist care, it all really needs a lot of change," he told AAP.
Grattan's recommendations include scrapping Medicare subsidies to specialists who charge excessive fees and publicly naming them.
"Hopefully it would discourage those specialists who are charging really unreasonable fees, but this is a problem that needs many solutions," Mr Breadon said.
The report also recommends governments provide one million extra specialist appointment services every year in areas that receive the least care, a system in which GPs can get written advice from other specialists, modernise public specialist clinics, and allocate $160 million to expand specialist training for undersupplied specialties and rural training.
Australian Medical Association President Danielle McMullen said public hospital underinvestment and lagging Medicare rebates made it harder for patients.
"The risks of delaying medical care are that the health problem gets worse," she said, adding it also puts pressure on GPs and hospitals in public and private clinics.
The doctors' association supports most of Grattan's recommendations, but said removing Medicare funding from specialists who charged excessive fees was not practical.
As governments negotiate the National Health Reform agreement, Dr McMullen urged leaders to sort out longer-term funding for public hospitals and develop a health workforce data tracker to show where investment was needed.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said private health insurers and specialists needed to do more to protect patients from exorbitant bills.
He said the Albanese government would upgrade the Medical Costs Finder, which helps patients find the best value for specialist medical advice, and was committed to working with stakeholders to improve cost transparency.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Herald Sun
4 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Burnout luxury retreats: Tired Aussies forking out thousands
Luxury health retreats are increasingly seeing Australians — from executives to struggling parents — seeking help not for mental health conditions, but due to crippling burnout. Exhausted mums and even high-flying young professionals are forking out between $6000 and $25,000 to detox from their phones, eat healthy meals, meditate and do music therapy at retreats across Australia. Owners say that the demand for help with burnout has been rising sharply in recent years and in some cases has become the most common reason people come to them. But Sara Quinn, president of the Australian Psychological Society, warned it was crucial to take steps to prevent burnout and address the causes because otherwise the cycle would repeat. 'It's crucial to address any systemic or workplace related factors that may contribute to burnout.' she said. 'That can include things like unrealistic workloads, lack-of-role or clarity.' Dr Quinn said retreats could be helpful but additional support was needed. Mum-of-three Lyndsey Walker said her experience at a burnout retreat was life-changing. She said running a recruitment agency and raising a family left her excessively fatigued and overly anxious. 'I wasn't sleeping and I lost a lot of weight,' she said. The 45-year-old said that, as a highly anxious person, she found it difficult to recharge and would often feel exhausted. 'I had very little patience for my kids … they weren't getting the best of me,' she said. Realising her burnout was affecting her relationship with her sons and husband, she decided to check into Samadhi Health Retreat in Daylesford, Victoria. Funding the stay herself, she said the $4500 price-tag was worth it because it 'recharged' her. 'It was an investment in my wellbeing,' she said. The founders of the Samadhi retreat, Wayne and Annah Mirananda, said that burnout had become the most common issue people needed addressing when they came to see them. 'Everyone is saying they're burnt out now,' Mr Mirananda said. He said a comprehensive burnout treatment included a 'mentoring coaching person every day'. Additionally therapy in bodywork, guided meditation, breathwork, somatic awareness (mindful attention to physical sensations within the body) and nature immersion were also included. He said guests were put on a menu of healthy vegetarian and vegan meals. 'We've created a beautiful, very private facility,' Mr Mirananda said. Ruth Limkin, the founder and managing director of The Banyans Healthcare, situated in the private hinterlands of Brisbane, also said burnout guests had been rising. The retreat additionally sees people for addiction, mental health issues and eating disorders. 'We've seen a really huge increase in the rise of inquiries for burnout,' Ms Limkin said. She said the most common demographic seeking help was corporate decision-makers aged between 40 and 50 years old. However, they also saw younger patients, in their 30s, who'd had professional success early. 'They've been running so fast, so long, they're running on empty now,' she said. Prices for a burnout retreat ranged from $15,000 to $29,000, Ms Limkin said, with workplaces often picking up the hefty cost. 'We see good return on investment for leadership wellbeing interventions, so it makes good business sense for a business to pay for that,' she said. People might stay as little as five days to two weeks where they would have appointments with psychologists, business coaches and clinical nutritionists. Equine (horse), arts and music therapy are also available. Ms Limkin said they had a huge focus on addressing the cause of the burnout so people could avoid it happening again. 'It's not just about refilling the tank, but helping clients realise how to move forward in a healthy, sustainable rhythm,' she said. Jackie Durnin, who runs the Hinterland Health Retreat in Montville on the Sunshine Coast, also said that burnout had become a common reason people came to stay with them. From entrepreneurs and corporates to busy mums trying to do it all, the 48-year-old said she saw a variety of clients suffering from burnout, whose ages spanned between 30 and 70 years old. Burnout may present differently in each client, with symptoms such as chronic fatigue, exhaustion and brain fog being common, Ms Durnin said. The retreat offers stays between four days up to 28 days or higher as needed, but most clients opt for a week. Costs of treatment vary depending on each client's needs, but seven days generally costs $25,000. Ms Durnin said they took an individualised approach which could include taking blood samples, stool samples and even a brain scan on day one. With a chef on site, meals are generally dairy and gluten free, and doctors on site can refine dietary requirements to suit the individual's needs. Clients also practice a 48-hour digital detox upon arrival, and then receive access to their phone only once per day, Ms Durnin said. Ms Durnin said she had brought in technology from the US, called neurotechnology, which is an emerging technology that interacts with or monitors the nervous system.
9 News
4 hours ago
- 9 News
'Waste of money': Aussie influencers enlisted for anti-vaping campaign
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here The federal government has launched an anti-vaping campaign using popular online influencers to educate young people on the dangers of nicotine addiction. Six high-profile Australians, including a singer, a two-time Paralympian, and a TikTok star, have been enlisted to clear up misinformation and change the narrative on vaping. Among them are Paralympic swimmer Col Pearse, TikTok star Veronia B, known online as Aunty Salma, Australian singer Cxloe and content creator Tedsthetics. The results of the research show why Australia's new vaping laws need to be strictly enforced, University of Sydney Associate Professor Becky Freeman says. (iStock) Research found these high-profile Australians are particularly popular with young people aged between 14 and 20, the federal government said in a statement. Vaping and the use of e-cigarettes is the most common among young people aged between 18 and 24 in Australia, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The latest campaign comes after Cancer Council research found government education targeting vaping has contributed to it becoming less "socially acceptable". In one video shared by Veronica B in character as Aunty Salma, she pretended to be an older relative asking a family member why they vape. "What are the pros of vaping? Zero, minus one even," she said in the footage. "The risks of vaping… coughing, breathing problems, nicotine dependence, waste of money and it can affect your brain development." Veronica B AKA Aunty Salma shared a video on the negative impacts of vaping. (TikTok/@yourauntysalma) Two-time Paralympian Pearse shared a video with a more serious note, discussing how vaping can impact your performance as an athlete. He also urged young people to avoid being peer-pressured into trying vaping. "It can be hard to say no at first, but back yourself and your friends are there to help and support you along the journey," he said. "You might even help them say no, too." Paralympic swimmer Col Pearse said vaping impacts your performance as an athlete. (TikTok/@Col_Pearse) Each video asks viewers to download the federal government's My QuitBuddy app, which provides tips and information about staying smoke and vape-free. The Australian government said the influencers have already generated a combined eight million views and 650,000 likes during the first phase of the education campaign. "There is an enormous amount of misinformation and online advertising designed to lure teenagers into vaping," Health Minister Mark Butler said. "Together with the Albanese government's world-leading vaping reforms, education is a key step to stopping Big Tobacco companies from luring a new generation into nicotine dependency. "It's pretty clear that teenagers don't watch TV or listen to health ministers, much as I might like them to, which is why we've partnered with influencers that young people listen to: from comedians, to sport stars and gamers, and everyone in between." Australia smoking health government national CONTACT US
The Advertiser
13 hours ago
- The Advertiser
ACT budget on life support amid health funding woes
The ACT budget has a health problem. When Treasurer Chris Steel, fresh in the job after Labor's seventh straight election win, provided a mid-year budget update in February, he was forced to make an embarrassing admission. The territory's budget deficit had blown out to $971 million, more than 50 per cent higher than predicted just seven months earlier. The government's anaemic revenue stream is falling behind what's needed to meet the growing demand for health services of its ageing population. Health spending accounted for less than 30 per cent of the ACT budget in the 90s, Mr Steel says. Now it accounts for 36 per cent. "All of us are facing this massive fiscal challenge from the growth in demand and cost on our hospital systems," the treasurer tells AAP. "That is something that we want to address with the Commonwealth sitting down and getting underway with negotiations on a new five-year National Health Reform Agreement." The agreement lays out how much funding the federal government doles out to states and territories to run their hospital systems. The current agreement runs out on June 30 and the Commonwealth has only guaranteed funding for one more year in a stop-gap deal for 2025/26. While the interim agreement gives the ACT a 16 per cent funding increase from the current financial year, Mr Steel says it's not enough. "The extent of demand and cost in the healthcare system is not being acknowledged by the Commonwealth," he says. Current funding arrangements would result in the federal government contributing to 33 per cent of ACT hospital funding, when the Albanese government has promised to raise their contribution to 45 per cent by 2035. A spokesperson for the federal Department of Health said the Commonwealth was working on finalising negotiations by the end of 2025. Mr Steel stresses the situation is changing for the better under the Albanese government, instead pinning the blame on the previous coalition government for a "decade of underinvestment" in Medicare and general practice. Tuesday's ACT budget will include measures to boost frontline services too, such as payroll tax changes that incentivise bulk billing, intended to take pressure off hospitals. In exchange for a better funding deal, the territory government could help its federal counterpart control the spiralling cost of the NDIS by providing more foundational supports for young males, who are signing up to the scheme at a rate of more than one in 10. "But we also need the Commonwealth to recognise that beyond the NDIS pressures, the major pressure that governments face in this country is about pressure on our acute hospital systems, and that is something that has to be addressed," Mr Steel says. The ACT budget has a health problem. When Treasurer Chris Steel, fresh in the job after Labor's seventh straight election win, provided a mid-year budget update in February, he was forced to make an embarrassing admission. The territory's budget deficit had blown out to $971 million, more than 50 per cent higher than predicted just seven months earlier. The government's anaemic revenue stream is falling behind what's needed to meet the growing demand for health services of its ageing population. Health spending accounted for less than 30 per cent of the ACT budget in the 90s, Mr Steel says. Now it accounts for 36 per cent. "All of us are facing this massive fiscal challenge from the growth in demand and cost on our hospital systems," the treasurer tells AAP. "That is something that we want to address with the Commonwealth sitting down and getting underway with negotiations on a new five-year National Health Reform Agreement." The agreement lays out how much funding the federal government doles out to states and territories to run their hospital systems. The current agreement runs out on June 30 and the Commonwealth has only guaranteed funding for one more year in a stop-gap deal for 2025/26. While the interim agreement gives the ACT a 16 per cent funding increase from the current financial year, Mr Steel says it's not enough. "The extent of demand and cost in the healthcare system is not being acknowledged by the Commonwealth," he says. Current funding arrangements would result in the federal government contributing to 33 per cent of ACT hospital funding, when the Albanese government has promised to raise their contribution to 45 per cent by 2035. A spokesperson for the federal Department of Health said the Commonwealth was working on finalising negotiations by the end of 2025. Mr Steel stresses the situation is changing for the better under the Albanese government, instead pinning the blame on the previous coalition government for a "decade of underinvestment" in Medicare and general practice. Tuesday's ACT budget will include measures to boost frontline services too, such as payroll tax changes that incentivise bulk billing, intended to take pressure off hospitals. In exchange for a better funding deal, the territory government could help its federal counterpart control the spiralling cost of the NDIS by providing more foundational supports for young males, who are signing up to the scheme at a rate of more than one in 10. "But we also need the Commonwealth to recognise that beyond the NDIS pressures, the major pressure that governments face in this country is about pressure on our acute hospital systems, and that is something that has to be addressed," Mr Steel says. The ACT budget has a health problem. When Treasurer Chris Steel, fresh in the job after Labor's seventh straight election win, provided a mid-year budget update in February, he was forced to make an embarrassing admission. The territory's budget deficit had blown out to $971 million, more than 50 per cent higher than predicted just seven months earlier. The government's anaemic revenue stream is falling behind what's needed to meet the growing demand for health services of its ageing population. Health spending accounted for less than 30 per cent of the ACT budget in the 90s, Mr Steel says. Now it accounts for 36 per cent. "All of us are facing this massive fiscal challenge from the growth in demand and cost on our hospital systems," the treasurer tells AAP. "That is something that we want to address with the Commonwealth sitting down and getting underway with negotiations on a new five-year National Health Reform Agreement." The agreement lays out how much funding the federal government doles out to states and territories to run their hospital systems. The current agreement runs out on June 30 and the Commonwealth has only guaranteed funding for one more year in a stop-gap deal for 2025/26. While the interim agreement gives the ACT a 16 per cent funding increase from the current financial year, Mr Steel says it's not enough. "The extent of demand and cost in the healthcare system is not being acknowledged by the Commonwealth," he says. Current funding arrangements would result in the federal government contributing to 33 per cent of ACT hospital funding, when the Albanese government has promised to raise their contribution to 45 per cent by 2035. A spokesperson for the federal Department of Health said the Commonwealth was working on finalising negotiations by the end of 2025. Mr Steel stresses the situation is changing for the better under the Albanese government, instead pinning the blame on the previous coalition government for a "decade of underinvestment" in Medicare and general practice. Tuesday's ACT budget will include measures to boost frontline services too, such as payroll tax changes that incentivise bulk billing, intended to take pressure off hospitals. In exchange for a better funding deal, the territory government could help its federal counterpart control the spiralling cost of the NDIS by providing more foundational supports for young males, who are signing up to the scheme at a rate of more than one in 10. "But we also need the Commonwealth to recognise that beyond the NDIS pressures, the major pressure that governments face in this country is about pressure on our acute hospital systems, and that is something that has to be addressed," Mr Steel says. The ACT budget has a health problem. When Treasurer Chris Steel, fresh in the job after Labor's seventh straight election win, provided a mid-year budget update in February, he was forced to make an embarrassing admission. The territory's budget deficit had blown out to $971 million, more than 50 per cent higher than predicted just seven months earlier. The government's anaemic revenue stream is falling behind what's needed to meet the growing demand for health services of its ageing population. Health spending accounted for less than 30 per cent of the ACT budget in the 90s, Mr Steel says. Now it accounts for 36 per cent. "All of us are facing this massive fiscal challenge from the growth in demand and cost on our hospital systems," the treasurer tells AAP. "That is something that we want to address with the Commonwealth sitting down and getting underway with negotiations on a new five-year National Health Reform Agreement." The agreement lays out how much funding the federal government doles out to states and territories to run their hospital systems. The current agreement runs out on June 30 and the Commonwealth has only guaranteed funding for one more year in a stop-gap deal for 2025/26. While the interim agreement gives the ACT a 16 per cent funding increase from the current financial year, Mr Steel says it's not enough. "The extent of demand and cost in the healthcare system is not being acknowledged by the Commonwealth," he says. Current funding arrangements would result in the federal government contributing to 33 per cent of ACT hospital funding, when the Albanese government has promised to raise their contribution to 45 per cent by 2035. A spokesperson for the federal Department of Health said the Commonwealth was working on finalising negotiations by the end of 2025. Mr Steel stresses the situation is changing for the better under the Albanese government, instead pinning the blame on the previous coalition government for a "decade of underinvestment" in Medicare and general practice. Tuesday's ACT budget will include measures to boost frontline services too, such as payroll tax changes that incentivise bulk billing, intended to take pressure off hospitals. In exchange for a better funding deal, the territory government could help its federal counterpart control the spiralling cost of the NDIS by providing more foundational supports for young males, who are signing up to the scheme at a rate of more than one in 10. "But we also need the Commonwealth to recognise that beyond the NDIS pressures, the major pressure that governments face in this country is about pressure on our acute hospital systems, and that is something that has to be addressed," Mr Steel says.
