Medical clinic decides it can no longer provide bulk billing to kids under 16

Altona General Medical Practice has decided it can no longer afford to provide bulk billing to children under 16 due to the rising costs of running the practice.

It comes as a number of GPs leave clinics to train in specialist fields, because they’re not earning enough money in General Practice.

Dr Mukesh Haikerwal from the Altona General Medical Practice told Neil Mitchell they’re struggling with costs because Medicare rebates have only risen $4.60 in the past 10 years and the clinic has become even more expensive to run due to COVID-19.

“All these things are important to keep the place safe, but they cost,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear Mukesh Haikerwal explain what’s changed