Doctors’ fees ‘rose at twice inflation rate’

Press, 22 June 1989, Page 24

Doctors’ fees ‘rose at twice inflation rate’

PA Wellington Fees for a child to visit a doctor increased at twice the inflation rate between 1980 and 1988, a study published in the latest “Medical Journal” says.

Widespread dissatisfaction existed over this rise in general practitioners’ charges, the study said. The 1988 study sampled 1033 families with children aged 11. The median fee paid for a child consultation was $l2, and $22 for an adult consultation.

“The majority of respondents were of the opinion that these fees were too high: over half said this about child fees and over two thirds be-

lieved adult fees were too high,” the study said.

"Patient estimates of reasonable fees were, on average, $8 for a child and $l5 for an adult.” “Interestingly, opinions about fee levels did not vary markedly with family social background or whether health insurance was held, suggesting that these responses did not reflect financial hardship so much as patient perceptions that fees were unrealistically high.” The sampled group is part of a Christchurch child development study. The participants were all born in the Christchurch region in mid-1977 and are followed up at various intervals.

In a survey of this group in 1980, no main complaint arose over fee levels.

The mean fee charge for a child medical consultation in 1980 was $2.07.

“On the basis of shifts in the consumer price index it may be estimated that costs in 1988 would be approximately 2.48 times those in 1980,” the study said. “This would suggest that if no real growth had occurred then fee levels in 1988 should be approximately $5.” The inflation-adjusted figures show consultation fees for children had increased at twice the rate of inflation during the

period 1980-88. However, from January 1, 1989, after the study was completed, the general medical services benefit was increased to $l6 a child and $4 an adult.

If these G.M.S. increases were passed on to the patient it would reduce the fees paid in the sample from $l2 per child to about $7 to $B, and for adults from $22 to $l9, the study said.

“With child fees in the region of $7 to $8 resistance to fee levies is likely to reduce markedly, and less than a quarter of the population are likely to describe fees as being too high.”