What's the deal with Medicare co-payments?

The federal government has ditched its plan for a $7 Medicare co-payment. Instead, an optional co-payment will be introduced at the same time the Medicare rebate to doctors is reduced by $5.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PATIENTS?

* The new measures apply from July 1, 2015.

* Those over 16 who are not bulked billed will receive $5 less when they claim their Medicare rebate.

* Doctors who bulk-bill patients without a concession card will have their rebate reduced by $5.

* It will be up to doctors to decide if their patients make up the difference with an optional co-payment.

* Pensioners, Commonwealth concession card holders, veterans, aged care residents and children under 16 will still attract the current Medicare rebate of $37.05.

* Pathology tests and x-rays won't be affected and current rebates and bulk-billing incentives will continue.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR DOCTORS?

* Currently 70 per cent of general patients are bulk-billed.

* Doctors who chose to continue to bulk bill general patients will receive $5 less for each standard consultation.

* A standard consultation - between 10 and 20 minutes - will attract a rebate of $32.05.

* Consultations that last less than 10 minutes will attract a lower rebate of $11.95.