That appears to be the thinking of Australian Clinical Labs, which provides pathology services at Wimmera Base Hospital.   

The Mail-Times has been attempting to gauge the affects on patients from pending changes to bulk billing.

The Mail-Times asked Australian Clinical Labs if prices would rise for patients in the Wimmera after July 1. 

Australian clinical labs government relations director Stephen Whitehead said the company not convinced that the reforms will get through the senate. 

“It looks as though the current regime will stay,” he said.

Australian Clinical Labs’ service at Wimmera Base Hospital is in the process of changing its name from St John of God Pathology.

The federal government pays $6 to pathology providers every time they bulk bill for children and concession card holders.

A higher payment of $9.10 is available if the provider delivers the service to a child or concession card holder located in a rural area

Major pathology providers and health industry groups have claimed that removing the incentives on July 1 would result in higher costs for patients seeking test results, radiology or MRI scans.

Pap smear tests should remain free at Wimmera Base Hospital though a government-funded sexual health program.

Now former Health Minister Sussay Ley has said the government aims to cut an inefficient payment, worth between $1.40 and $3.40 per patient, that is paid direct to pathology corporations separate to the Medicare rebate.

Ms Ley has suggested the savings from cutting the incentive payments could be used to further subsidise pathology tests directly.