AMA Raises Concerns Over Proposed Changes to Medical Costs Finder Website
10 Apr 2026
The proposal, included in the Health Legislation Amendment Bill (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers), would introduce a single annual “average fee” for each medical practitioner published online.
In its submission, the AMA said this approach could be misleading for patients because it does not reflect the complexity and variation in medical care.
Federal AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said a single figure would not provide a fair picture of fees charged by doctors.
She said many factors influence costs, including private health insurer arrangements, hospital agreements, and the complexity of individual patient cases.
Dr McMullen also noted that some specialists offer reduced fees for patients based on age or financial hardship, while others may charge more due to treating more complex conditions that require extra time.
The AMA warned that averaging fees from previous years could further distort the information presented to the public.
The submission also criticised the lack of consultation with the medical profession during the development of the proposed changes.
It raised concerns that doctors may not have a clear process to correct incorrect information on the website or seek remedy if inaccurate data harms their reputation or practice.
The AMA also called for all related information, including private health insurer rebates, to be published at the same time, rather than being released in separate stages.
It argued that transparency can only be achieved if patients are given complete and accurate information about out-of-pocket costs.
The AMA submission forms part of ongoing discussions about how to improve pricing transparency in Australia’s private healthcare system.
Source: Australian Medical Association (AMA) Federal Submission, media statement by Dr Danielle McMullen
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