Australian GPs warn cost of visit could blow out to $100 by 2016

The cost of visiting your GP for 15 minutes could climb past $100 within two years if the federal government implements planned changes to the Medicare rebate, according to the Doctors Reform Society.

The society, a lobby group which supports publicly funded health care, said the Abbott government's plan to cut the rebate for doctors by five dollars and freeze the amount until 2018 promotes a "return to a failed privatised system of the past" where doctors are able to charge what they want, Fairfax Media reports.

Society president Dr Con Costa said extending the freeze for four more years would hit GP clinics' budgets hard and force many doctors to end bulk-billing practices, as well as increase fees for non-concession card holders.

In 2012 the former Labor government froze the Medicare rebate for a standard "Level B" consultation of up to 20 minutes at $37.05.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommends GPs charge $75 for these consultations, leaving patients with $37.95 of out-of-pocket expenses.

Dr Costa claimed some doctors were already charging $80 so it was likely some would charge at least $100 by 2016.

Under the new Abbott government proposal, a patient charged $100 up front would be left with out-of-pocket expenses of $67.95.

"Up until now, Medicare and high rates of bulk-billing have kept a lid on doctors' fees and charges in general practice," Dr Costa said.

"Once you destroy this cost control, you basically open Pandora's box."

The AMA has argued for some time the Medicare rebate has not kept up with inflation and average weekly earnings.

About 82 percent of GP visits in Australia are currently bulk-billed, with an average out-of-pocket expense of $30 for patients paying privately.

The AMA also estimates 25 percent of bulk-billed patients do not carry a concession card.

A recent survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics found five percent of patients who needed to see a GP delayed their visit or did not go at all due to the cost associated.

AMA Victoria branch president Tony Bartone said upfront fees of $80-90 were more likely by the end of 2016.

A spokesperson for Health Minister Peter Dutton said doctors are "encouraged to consider the personal circumstances of their patients when determining fees".