Concerns that cuts to bulk billing could be harmful to patients

Pathology Australia is concerned cuts to bulk billing could be harmful to patients.

The latest cuts could force pathologists to charge patients a co-payment, which in turn could discourage them from having the tests done at all.

They have released a pamphlet entitled Don’t Kill, Bulk Bill to put pressure on the government to reverse the cut.

And while the name may be dramatic, Pathology Australia’s President told Neil Mitchell the message needed to be clear and direct.

‘Our concern was that (the cut) would deter patients from having critical tests,’ Dr Nick Musgrave said.

He said the industry would have to set up a system of administration to bill patients, which could add as much as $20 to the fee.

Currently, 98.7% of pathology tests are bulk billed.

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