The federal government is looking at alternative ways to reduce the number of free GP visits for Australians after Health Minister Peter Dutton finally conceded his plan to charge $7 a visit was politically dead.

Scrapping the bulk billing incentive payment currently given to doctors when they do not charge for visits would likely result in patients having to pay around $6 in metropolitan areas.

Mr Dutton admitted the $7 GP charge proposed in the May budget did not have the support of the Senate a week after The Australian Financial Review reported it would be dumped.

“Well, in its current form it is clear that the co-payment doesn’t have the numbers in the Senate but we have negotiations in train with the independent senators,” he said.

“I believe that we can arrive at a compromise position but I’m not going to publicly canvass those options and those discussions.”

The changes to bulk billing incentives could be made through regulation, which would remove the need for initial parliamentary approval. However, it is likely the government would face an attempt by Labor to veto the changes within 15 Parliamentary sitting days.

When asked Mr Dutton would not rule out getting rid of the incentive payments, which are $6.15 for metropolitan doctors and $9.25 for rural doctors.

For more details, go to: http://www.afr.com/p/national/coalition_quietly_shelves_drugs_ETgwS82O87saLTAtxlo0sO