As the sector marked the 40th anniversary of Medicare, new statistics reveal the number of optometry services subsidised by the scheme increased almost 4%, with the profession’s high bulkbilling rate unchanged.
The latest figures, released on 19 February, show optometrists delivered 5,670,981 Medicare services in the Jul-Dec 2023 period, which was 215,226 more than the previous corresponding six-month period. This 3.9% rise bucks a national trend that saw overall Medicare services decrease from 228 million to 226.8 million (0.6%) over that time.
Greater demand for optometry is part of an ongoing trend. For example, in the 2019-2020 financial year there were 9,197,934 Medicare-subsidised optometry services, but that rose to 10,938,784 – 1.74 million (or 19%) more services – in the latest 2022-23 figures, some of which may have been influenced by COVID-19 lockdowns.
Considering data like this, major optometry employers like Specsavers are concerned about a strained future workforce. A 2023 report it commissioned through Deloitte Access Economics showed the industry could expect a shortage of more than 1,000 optometrists over the next two decades, with deficits to be felt most in regional Australian communities.
A further analysis of the latest Medicare statistics shows in the Jul-Dec 2023 period total benefits paid for optometry services reached $272.5 million, 7.8% above the $293.7 million the year prior.
And the bulkbilling rate remained high at 94%, with optometry second only to practice nurses (99%) on this metric. The optometry rate is consistent with statistics back to 2014-15 when there was a noticeable drop from the 97% rate after the removal of the ‘cap’ on fees optometrists could charge for Medicare-subsidised services (which Optometry Australia was successful in securing in 2015).
Other figures show the average patient contribution for those seeking Medicare-linked optometry services was $35.05 in the July to December 2023 period, a 3.5% hike on the year prior.
Meanwhile – marking four decades since Medicare’s inception in 1984 – Optometry Australia CEO Ms Skye Cappuccio said the organisation was proud of its advocacy over the years that ensured optometrist consultations were claimable under Medicare. This has meant Australians can have their eyes checked regularly by their local optometrist at little or no cost.
“However, Medicare’s 40th anniversary is an appropriate time to consider how our universal public health system can be strengthened so that it continues to be fit-for-purpose to meet the challenges of an ageing population, an increasing prevalence of chronic health conditions, and ongoing advances in health technologies,” she said.
“The good news is that we know what the problems are, and we also largely know what is needed to fix them. The test for everyone with a stake in the health system is to have the courage to recognise that addressing the issues that are holding us back will deliver better health outcomes for patients and longer-term financial sustainability for the broader health sector.”
Ahead of the Federal Budget expected in May 2024, in its 2024-25 pre-Budget submission, OA called for a comprehensive, independent review of Medicare scheduled fees for optometric items to ensure they aligned with the true cost of providing quality eyecare. OA’s own analysis indicates the actual cost of providing a comprehensive consultation is more than $30 more than the Medicare scheduled fee.
It also urged the government to increase the optometric domiciliary loading to $85.00 per visit (paid proportionally for multiple patients) to ensure the ongoing provision of timely and affordable access to eyecare for elderly Australians in aged care.
More reading
Federal Budget 2023/24 focuses on Medicare rebuild
What to do about Medicare – Skye Cappuccio
Medicare fraud review vindicates profession
