A local study of costs for private allied health in Australian primary health care: variability and policy implications
Carmen L. Pearce-Brown A B E , Laurie Grealish C , Ian S. McRae A , Kirsty A. Douglas A , Laurann E. Yen D , Robert W. Wells D and Susan Wareham BA Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
B Dr Susan Wareham General Practice, Giralang, ACT 2617, Australia.
C Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
D Menzies Centre for Health Policy, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: carmen.pearce-brown@anu.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 17(2) 131-134 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY10029
Submitted: 19 July 2010 Accepted: 8 November 2010 Published: 7 June 2011
Abstract
Multidisciplinary approaches to primary health care improve outcomes for individuals living with chronic conditions. However, emerging evidence suggests access to allied health professionals in Australia is problematic. This paper reports findings of a telephone survey of allied health professionals’ billing practices in one urban area. The survey was undertaken as a quality improvement project in response to the affordability queries raised by patients and carers in the clinical setting. The aim was to determine financial cost of access to allied health professionals in one urban primary health care setting. Participant practices included: physiotherapy (n = 21), podiatry (n = 8) and dietitians (n = 3). Fees were variable, with cost of the initial (assessment) appointment higher than subsequent (follow-up) appointments in 92% of practices. The average out of pocket expenses for assessment and three follow-up appointments ranged from $258 to $302. When available, the Medicare rebate reduced this to $58–106. Bulk billing was not offered. Variable costs, minimal concessions and absence of bulk billing in this confined geographical area creates a cost barrier to access for patients from lower socioeconomic groups and has implications for access to multidisciplinary care in Australian primary health care.
Additional keywords: access, general practice, out of pocket cost, quality improvement.
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