575 - GP25 Insights: Private Health Insurers, Bulk Billing Shifts, Climate Impact & AI in Australia

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dr Max Mollenkopf, Dr Michael Bonning, and Dr Nicole Sleeman at GP25, the annual conference for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) in Brisbane.

The episode covers the changing landscape of general practice in Australia, with a focus on the involvement of private health insurers in primary care, recent bulk billing changes, the environmental impact of healthcare, and the role of artificial intelligence.

This episode was recorded during GP25 in Brisbane, the largest national gathering dedicated to general practice, organised by RACGP.

Key Takeaways

🌱 The increasing presence of private health insurers in primary care raises questions about patient outcomes, funding models, and the viability of independent clinics.

💸 Changes to bulk billing are shifting the financial landscape for GPs, with government policy aiming to relieve cost-of-living pressures for patients but introducing new considerations for clinic owners.

🌏 Healthcare contributes significantly to carbon emissions in Australia, and there are opportunities to decarbonise the sector by focusing on prevention, reducing low-value care, and adopting low-carbon options in clinical practice.

🤝 The general practice sector must define and advocate for its core strengths amidst disruption by corporate interests and technology, particularly the integration of AI in supporting clinical decision making.

🚦 Clinicians and clinic owners can take actionable steps, such as joining advocacy groups, reviewing care practices, and engaging in preventative health, to respond proactively to these sector changes.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

01:02 – Dr Max Mollenkopf

06:43 – Dr Michael Bonning

16:33 – Dr Nicole Sleeman

Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.

Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet-ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information, visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus