Variation in the fees of medical specialists: problems, causes, solutions.

That costs are barriers to medical care in Australia has been reported by 8% of people who needed to see amedical specialist and by 19%of those needing to see a general practitioner. International studies have also found that cost is a barrier for those needing medical specialist or general practice care; Australian prices generally fall in themiddle range of the countries surveyed, but are among the highest for patients with certain chronic conditions. Financial barriers are more significant for poorer, sicker people, and for those in remote areas, and in the long run may lead to poorer health and greater costs.