Grattan Institute Study: Psychiatrists and Paediatricians Among Top Specialists Charging Extreme Fees
A new report by the Grattan Institute reveals that some doctors in Australia are charging patients up to triple the fees of their peers, marking an "extreme" fee increase.
Over 2.2 Million Australians Affected by Extreme Fees
More than 2.2 million Australians paid an "extreme" fee to see a specialist last year, as per the study conducted by the policy think-tank.
Specialists Cannot Justify Exorbitant Fees
The report found that specialists cannot justify exorbitant fees by blaming inadequate government rebates or the costs of running a business, as these factors explain only a fraction of the fee increases Australians have faced.
Psychiatrists and Paediatricians at the Top of the List
The study found that psychiatrists and paediatricians are among the specialists most likely to routinely charge unreasonably high fees to patients.
Fee Inflation Causes Financial Strain on Patients
The inflated fees have caused a significant financial strain on patients, who are often left paying hundreds of dollars for consultations.
Grattan Institute Recommends Reform
The Grattan Institute suggests that urgent reforms are needed to address the issue and protect patients from excessive financial burden.
</body> </html><small>Source: The Guardian — read the original story there.</small>
