Dickson MP Ali France has come under fire from medical professionals this week after suggesting that Medicare-funded menopause checkups would be “free,” a statement one former RACGP president described as a “bad error about how the finances of general practice work.”
On Wednesday, Ms France, one of Australia’s newest parliamentarians, posted on her official Facebook page promoting Medicare’s newly introduced menopause health assessment item. The original post read: “You can now get a free Medicare peri-menopause or menopause checkup at your GP. #Labor.”
The post quickly drew criticism from general practitioners in the comments, who clarified that whether a consultation is bulk-billed or includes a gap fee is determined by the individual doctor or practice.
One GP commented they were “disappointed to see this blatantly untrue message” and urged Ms France to update it, warning that patients might otherwise flood clinics seeking a “free consult” only to be disappointed.
Dr Maria Boulton, past president of AMA Queensland, explained in a comment the complexity of such consultations: “They involve discussing menopause and perimenopause symptoms, reviewing multiple body systems, updating preventive screens, assessing risk factors, and conducting a medical exam. The Medicare rebate is woefully low to cover the time patients need and deserve.”
Following the backlash, Ms France’s post was amended to: “You can now get a Medicare rebate for peri-menopause or menopause checkup at your GP. #Labor.”
The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Item 695, which took effect in July, provides a rebate of $101.90 for a 20-minute menopause and perimenopause assessment. It is available for patients experiencing premature ovarian insufficiency, early menopause, perimenopause, or menopause.
Professor Karen Price, former RACGP president, told The Medical Republic that some GPs may still charge a gap fee. “The amount the government pays is not sufficient to cover high-quality perimenopausal and menopausal care,” she said. “Doctors must balance patient care with keeping their practices viable.”
Professor Price, who previously encouraged GPs to reconsider universal bulk billing, added: “It’s disappointing to see someone in a position of power make such a fundamental error about how general practice finances work, particularly in women’s health. Female GPs are deeply concerned about comments that imply we have been dismissive of female patients.”
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