With everything else we care about and worry about, it might be considered a bit rich to add to the pile of woes these days. But, hang on, I’ve got skin in the game on this one, part and parcel of getting older.
“Australians are paying more to see specialists, and some are delaying or missing care as a result. In 2025, Australians spent $4.17 billion out of pocket on out-of-hospital specialist services, up 75.8% since 2019. The average out-of-pocket cost for an initial specialist consultation rose from $94.72 in 2016 to $158.75 in 2025 – a 67% increase, compared with 32% inflation.”
Those fee hikes are all legal of course, but are they ethical? I don’t think so. But rather than castigate the *Specialists* on a good wicket, I’m going to be holding the govt to account on this cokme next ballot day.
#AusPol #Healthcare #AgeingPolpulation #SpecialistReferals #SpecialistFees #OutPatientCare #Hospitals #SpecialistServices #ConsultationFees #MedicareCover #GapPayments
