Cataract Surgery Rebate Cuts
Ophthalmologists have reacted to the slashing by the Federal Government of the Medicare rebate for cataract surgery, saying that it will put vulnerable patients in a worse position. The Medicare Benefits Schedule was released as part of the Federal Budget in May, and the removal of the benefit was to save $153.4 million over four years. There was also some belief that eye specialists were exploiting the system to their own advantage and this would put an end to it.
Eye surgeons say that every dollar supposedly saved by this measure is being stolen from a needy pensioner who desperately needs cataract surgery, and does not deserve that appalling treatment. The Government replied that the same reasoning was applied to other procedures that also “could be performed more quickly and safely due to improvement in technology or where the service can be delivered as a standard consultation or less complex procedure” and held firm in their intention.
The cut is to take effect in November this year, and will result in out of pocket expenses for the procedure to increase by more than $300. Ophthalmologists say the move will put more pressure on the public system and increase waiting lists, which are already up to 3 years long, and that it is the pensioners who will be hit the hardest. In fact, it puts the surgery out of many people’s reach. That extra $300 is unavailable to people trying to live on $900 per month. The elderly, the uninsured and Aboriginal patients are most at risk, especially those in remote and rural areas. If they do not have this sight-saving surgery they are much more likely to experience falls, and suffer serious injuries, which will just cost the health system more in the long run and add immeasurably to the misery and loss of quality of life of those affected.
The rebate has already been cut back twice before in 1986 by 40 percent, and in 1996 by 25 percent, but medical technology costs continue to go up not down. The cuts make it unaffordable for eye surgeons to visit remote and rural areas and bulk-bill their services.
Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world, and Australian specialists have the expertise and resources to intervene before there is visual disability. Putting off cataract surgery is the last thing any developed nation wants to choose for its senior population. This policy is very poorly thought out in a country where it is estimated that 70 percent of people in their 80s will develop cataracts, and where 200,000 cataract operations are performed each year.
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon defended the decision, saying that doctors were making a big profit and benefit from the safety net that was meant to protect patients, and that the changes were necessary to ensure the health budget is sustainable into the future. I condemn this decision as very short sighted.