The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission proposes to allow GPs in single practices to set practice prices and collectively bargain. Practices will need to meet particular business criteria in order to be considered as a single practice.
“In response to an application lodged by the Australian Medical Association, the ACCC proposes to allow GPs within single practices to collectively set prices and bargain over visiting medical officer services and with Medicare Locals,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.
“The ACCC proposes to grant authorisation for five years, as sought by the AMA. Authorisation will extend to all GPs, not just AMA members."
“The authorised arrangements are similar to the authorisations previously granted to Royal Australian College of General Practitioners members which lapsed on 14 June 2011,” Mr Sims said.
Authorisation provides statutory protection for conduct that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. The ACCC may grant an authorisation when it is satisfied that the public benefit from the conduct outweighs any public detriment.
