GP bulk-billing boost to improve heart disease care

MORE people will be able to get help from their GP for heart disease prevention and management.

Through the federal Government’s bulk-billing expansion, more GP clinics are being encouraged to bulk bill patients, providing benefits for people at risk of heart disease.

The move is being backed by the Heart Foundation, whose 2025 State of the Heart Survey found more than 40 percent of respondents missed or delayed a heart health appointment with their GP because of the cost.

Heart Foundation chief executive officer David Lloyd welcomed the expansion, saying it would improve affordable access to GPs.

“Heart health equity for everyone in Australia is the cornerstone of the Heart Foundation’s 25-year vision.

“Sadly, people have told us that cost is the leading cause for them missing or delaying a heart appointment with their GP.

“Similarly, health budgets cannot continue to absorb growing and ageing populations who are hospitalised for heart disease that an earlier visit to a GP could have prevented.”

For people at risk of heart disease, the expansion will provide them with improved access to Medicare Heart Health Checks, with more clinics able to fully bulk bill the check without charging gap fees.

People who have experienced a heart event and require ongoing care will also benefit, as more options become available to see a GP at no out of pocket expense.

The Heart Health Checks are designed to help people understand their personal risk of a heart attack or a stroke in the next five years and allows a GP or nurse to support people in making positive changes to lower the risk.