Rural patients slugged hefty bills for emergency treatment free for city dwellers

Country Victorians are being hit with bills of more than $230 for emergency hospital treatment which their city counterparts can receive for free.

One Victorian rural centre is charging what health advocates call a “flag-fall” fee of $30 for anybody who shows up needing treatment, with more money to be handed over if a doctor needs to be called.Consumer health advocates want reform of the funding model, saying it treats rural Victorians like second-class citizens and the Australian Medical Association says charging patients for urgent care is “unacceptable”.

"Rural patients are not being treated fairly or equitably. They being charged based on their postcode so they are constantly at a disadvantage.” "We are really concerned with respect to emergency treatment that these costs might discourage people from seeking care."But Professor Rait blamed inadequate government funding of regional and rural hospitals for the shortfall.

The National Health Reform Agreement allows the GP charges but bans Urgent Care Centres from charging for services which they provide themselves.

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