Ministry Welcomes Consumers' Institute Survey
The Ministry of Health welcomes the results of a Consumers' Institute survey of GP fees and says there is now greater transparency about the fees people can expect to pay when they visit the doctor.
Dr Jim Primrose, Chief Advisor General Practice, says the survey demonstrates that advertised fees have remained stable over the last 12 months - fees information from the Consumer survey is almost identical to that collected by district health boards in June last year.
"It is pleasing to see that GPs' charges are in line with the information gathered by district health boards last year. People can also expect to easily access information about the fees charged at all practices within their community."
Since the introduction of the primary healthcare strategy in 2001 the government has been rolling out increased funding across all age groups. From July this year, the last of the funding will be rolled out for those in the 25 to 44-year age group.
"This final funding roll out means all New Zealanders will now have access to cheaper GP visits. This is important because we know one of the characteristics of a high performing primary health care system is that people can easily access free or low cost services,'' Dr Primrose said.
GP practices are also subject to a more robust fee review process. This means that fee increases above an annual threshold that's independently set can be subject to a fees review. To date only 41 out of about 1000 GP practices have been referred for a fees review.
Since October last year practices which maintain very low fees have been eligible for additional funding. Eligibility for this payment is limited to PHOs and practices that charge zero fees for children under 6, a $10 maximum for children aged 6 - 17 years and a $15 maximum for adults aged over 18 years. There are now around 23% of practices that charge these very low fees, and access this additional funding.
The Ministry is concerned the Consumer survey found that the number of practices offering free healthcare for children under six has reduced.
Dr Primrose says while there is no contractual or legislative requirement that stops GPs charging for this age group about two-thirds of practices do offer free care to under-6s.
There are now 81 PHOs covering over 3.9 million New Zealanders around the country.
Dr Jim Primrose, Chief Advisor General Practice, says the survey demonstrates that advertised fees have remained stable over the last 12 months - fees information from the Consumer survey is almost identical to that collected by district health boards in June last year.
"It is pleasing to see that GPs' charges are in line with the information gathered by district health boards last year. People can also expect to easily access information about the fees charged at all practices within their community."
Since the introduction of the primary healthcare strategy in 2001 the government has been rolling out increased funding across all age groups. From July this year, the last of the funding will be rolled out for those in the 25 to 44-year age group.
"This final funding roll out means all New Zealanders will now have access to cheaper GP visits. This is important because we know one of the characteristics of a high performing primary health care system is that people can easily access free or low cost services,'' Dr Primrose said.
GP practices are also subject to a more robust fee review process. This means that fee increases above an annual threshold that's independently set can be subject to a fees review. To date only 41 out of about 1000 GP practices have been referred for a fees review.
Since October last year practices which maintain very low fees have been eligible for additional funding. Eligibility for this payment is limited to PHOs and practices that charge zero fees for children under 6, a $10 maximum for children aged 6 - 17 years and a $15 maximum for adults aged over 18 years. There are now around 23% of practices that charge these very low fees, and access this additional funding.
The Ministry is concerned the Consumer survey found that the number of practices offering free healthcare for children under six has reduced.
Dr Primrose says while there is no contractual or legislative requirement that stops GPs charging for this age group about two-thirds of practices do offer free care to under-6s.
There are now 81 PHOs covering over 3.9 million New Zealanders around the country.