There are two parts to the upcoming changes to Bulk Billing Incentives in General Practice, from 1 November 2025:
- Expanding eligibility for Medicare bulk billing incentives.
- Introducing the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP).
Expanding eligibility for Medicare bulk billing incentives.
Bulk billing incentive payments changes from 1 November 2025 will expand the bulk billing incentives to all Australians with a Medicare card.
Currently, these incentives only apply to children under 16 yearsand patients with a Commonwealth concession card. These incentives are scaled to increase by remoteness (MMM region) and some MBS items attract a triple bulk billing incentive. These changes do not require practices to become fully bulk billing to benefit.
Introducing the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP)
The Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP) is a new incentive which will provide an additional payment when GPs and their practice bulk bill all Medicare eligible patients for all eligible services. The BBPIP payment will be in addition to MBS benefits paid (including bulk billing incentives).
Today, Mark Butler, Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing announced that from 1 November 2025, practices and GPs registering for the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP) will equally share in the additional incentive payment of 12.5 per cent of MBS billings for eligible services. The 50/50 BBPIP payment split recognises the roles played by both practices and providers in delivering bulk billed services to patients.
Further details and instructions on how to register in BBPIP will be provided later this year, and registration for BBPIP will be available from 1 November 2025.
Accredited practices can prepare in advance, by registering for MyMedicare now. Instructions on how to register for MyMedicare are available on the Services Australia Health Professional Education Resources website.
A resource answering frequently asked questions about BBPIP is available for practices, providers, practice managers and health professionals, including eligibility, benefits and how the program operates.
For practice support please contact primarycare@nwmphn.org.au
