Number of Australians putting off GP visits doubles amid high appointment costs

As Australia's universal healthcare scheme, Medicare, celebrates its 40th anniversary, new data reveals patients are increasingly avoiding visits to the doctor due to high appointment costs.It comes as the government celebrates a slight increase in bulk-billed G-P visits across the country, following its tripling of the Medicare bulk-billing incentive late last year.

Minister for Health Mark Butler arrives at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Monday, January 29, 2024. Source: AAP / MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE