Medicare subsidised GP visits expected to drop in new targets

There was no big announcement on the reduction, but the department's latest corporate strategy quietly reduced the target from 85% to 80%.

The document noted that the target was reduced after the release of the 2026–27 Budget to reflect an expected reduction in demand as patients access care through other channels.

The department is expecting more people to obtain clinical certificates for work absences from pharmacists or access clinical services through pharmacy-led trials in some states - trials that have faced strong objection from GPs.

“Additionally, services not funded under the MBS may be accessed through privately funded providers (e.g. online clinics), or through other government programs (e.g. Department of Veterans’ Affairs),” the strategy states.

“Reductions in demand for Medicare services due to these factors would be anticipated to increase in the future, based on current trends.”

The 85% target had been in place through to 2028/29 in the 2025/26 strategy but now sits at 80% through to 2029/30.

Previously if this performance measure rate dropped below 82% it would be considered that the target had not been achieved, triggering a review process. The new strategy has revised the trigger point for such action down to 78%.

While RACGP WA Co-Deputy Chair Dr Julia Rawlinson stopped short of saying the target should not have been lowered, she said nothing could take the place of the relationship and continuity of care that GPs provide.

"I think the risk we run is further fragmentation of care and I think potentially, depending on the scenario, that can have negative impacts for the patient," she said.

Dr Rawlinson said the alternatives listed in the strategy to potentially be accessed in place of GP visits were "different types of care" compared to what what GPs provide.

RACGP President Dr Michael Wright told NewsGP the revised target reflected the amount of healthcare increasingly being delivered outside of Medicare in the private sector.

He expressed concern that healthcare in such circumstances may be carried out with “unclear regulations and responsibilities” raising concerns about the longer-term implications for continuity of care.
 
“While GPs and practices are held totally accountable for quality and safety, other providers potentially aren’t,” Dr Wright said.

He said the health system should encourage patients to see their GPs regularly.

“Anything that reduces access to continuity of care in general practice is a concern,” Dr Wright said.