GPs may be set a minimum of six minutes for a consultation, according to a proposal contained in a leaked report, but not everyone is in favour of such a move.
A task force has reportedly proposed setting a minimum of six minutes for GP consultations to ensure bulk-billing practices don't pass patients through too quickly.
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The current standard sets 20 minutes for a consultation with the GP receiving a $37 rebate but does not set a minimum, with fears some of the big practices are churning through patients at a rapid rate, News Corp Australia reports.
The proposed change is contained in a leaked Medicare Benefits Schedule Review Taskforce report obtained by The Sunday Telegraph,
However, the Australian Medical Association says it would send the wrong message that six minutes is a baseline for consultations. It also does not address the key issue of a lack of funding for general practice, AMA president Dr Tony Bartone says.
The report has not been presented to the government, a spokesman for the health minister says.
