Variation in outpatient consultation fees of psychiatrists in Australia by state and territory

Abstract

Objective To determine bulk billing rates, and mean, median, and 10th and 90th centile fees for outpatient consultations with a psychiatrist in Australia in 2019, by state or territory. Method Medicare claims data for bulk billing rates and the mean, median, and 10th and 90th centile for fees charged in Australia in 2019 were requested, for item numbers for initial and ongoing consultations. Results There were high rates of bulk billing overall. Initial consultations were more likely to be bulk billed. There was variation in fees between states and territories. Fees were highest in the Australian Capital Territory. Conclusion There is variation in fees and bulk billing rates for outpatient consultations with a psychiatrist. Fees tend to be higher in states or territories with higher median personal income. Psychiatrists were more likely to bulk bill for initial consultations, with the exception of the Northern Territory. High rates of bulk billing may indicate psychiatrists are absorbing increasing costs of service provision.