Pathology Providers Push for Increased Funding, Warn of Potential Co-payments
Australian Pathology, representing private pathology companies, has launched a campaign urging the government to increase funding for pathology services. They warn that without additional support, patients may soon face co-payments for blood tests and other essential tests.
The campaign highlights the growing demand for pathology services due to Australia's aging population and increasing chronic illness. Despite this, Medicare rebates for pathology providers have remained stagnant for 24 years.
The Albanese government recently decided to index rebates for some labor-intensive services, but excluded many common tests from this increase. Pathology companies argue that this is not enough and that testing costs are not solely driven by automation. They point to rising labor costs as a major factor impacting their financial viability.
This is not the first time Australian Pathology has launched such a campaign. In 2016, they warned of potential co-payments after the government scrapped bulk billing incentives. The campaign ended after the government agreed to regulate the high rents charged to pathology companies in GP clinics.
Health experts remain skeptical of the co-payment threat, arguing that pathology companies are using scare tactics to pressure the government. They point to previous instances where pathology companies introduced co-payments only to reverse them due to revenue losses.
However, some pathology providers believe co-payments are imminent. They argue that the industry is united in its demands and is spending significant resources on this campaign.
The government has announced an independent review into the fees for pathology items that were not included in the recent indexation. This review will likely determine the future of pathology funding and the potential for co-payments.
In addition to the funding concerns, the government is also implementing tighter restrictions on Medicare-funded vitamin B12 and urine specimen testing. This could disadvantage women who rely on these tests for diagnosis and monitoring.