#87 Healthcare Transparency, Bulk Billing & the Data of General Practice with James Gillespie

In this episode of the Practice Partners Podcast, Ami and Zac are joined by two-time guest, James Gillespie - Founder of Cleanbill, to unpack the findings from Cleanbill's latest electorate breakdown report and what it reveals about bulk billing, out-of-pocket costs, and healthcare accessibility across Australia.

Together, they explore why Cleanbill developed electorate-level reporting, how transparent healthcare data is helping patients make more informed decisions, and why practices can benefit from understanding how they compare within their local market. James also shares how Cleanbill has evolved beyond a bulk billing directory into a comprehensive healthcare platform featuring practitioner profiles, accessibility information, opening hours, clinic biographies, and more.

The conversation examines one of the report's most significant findings: while bulk billing rates have increased, patient out-of-pocket costs continue to rise. Zac, Ami and James discuss the realities facing general practice, including increasing operating costs, Medicare incentives, mixed billing models, and the ongoing challenge of delivering financially sustainable primary care.

The episode concludes with an exciting look at what's next for Cleanbill, including quarterly reporting, enhanced practice analytics, and new service-based search capabilities designed to help patients find specific services such as iron infusions, chronic disease management, and other specialised care.

Key takeaways

• Why healthcare transparency benefits both patients and practices.
• How electorate-level reporting provides more meaningful insights than national averages.
• Why bulk billing rates have increased while patient out-of-pocket costs continue to rise.
• How practices can use benchmarking data to improve accessibility, patient experience, and competitiveness.
• What's next for Cleanbill and how new analytics will provide practices with more actionable insights.

Associated Links

• Cleanbill Data: https://cleanbill.com.au/cleanbill-data
• Update your listing (free): https://cleanbill.com.au/update-listing-details
• Claim your listing (free): https://cleanbill.com.au/clinic-portal

Episode timestamps

02:24 Why Cleanbill created electorate breakdown reports

04:22 What Cleanbill is really trying to achieve

08:28 Transparency, competition, and attracting the right patients

14:08 Cleanbill's new analytics dashboard and electorate comparisons

17:17 How practices can claim and manage their Cleanbill listing

20:00 Why out-of-pocket costs are increasing despite higher bulk billing rates

24:04 Medicare incentives and the challenge of practice sustainability

27:24 Funding pressures, urgent care, and the strain on general practice

35:07 How government and policymakers are using Cleanbill data

47:12 What's next for Cleanbill: quarterly reporting, richer analytics, and service-based search