More people in the Western Plains are receiving more bulk billed GP visits than almost anywhere else in Australia, but on the rare occasions we do pay out of pocket the rates can be the highest in the natIon.

Newly released Medicare data shows that the average out of pocket expense for people in the Western Plains region to be an astonishing $77 per GP visit.

This is more than 80% higher than the next most expensive region in the state - Moree-Narrabri at $42 - and more than double the average in Dubbo which sits at $38.

However, the Australian Healthcare Atlas made up of data compiled by researchers from the University of Melbourne, shows that more than nine out of ten people who visit a GP in the Western Plains are bulk-billed.

Image: National Rural Health Alliance.

The data shows that the Western Plains sits well within the top 10 of geographical areas that bulk-bill – higher than Broken Hill and higher than almost every geographical zone in metropolitan Sydney.

Bankstown had the lowest GP out of pocket expenses in the state at $30 – marginally more than the lowest average in the country; $29 in Kwinana in South West Perth.

In Broken Hill and the Far West it is $48.

The figures come after the introduction of "triple bulk billing" in November.

Mark Burdack. Image: Supplied.

Under these incentives, the federal government pays GPs in metropolitan areas a $20.65 bonus if they bulk bill concession card holders or children under 16 years.

GPs in rural and remote areas are paid $31.35-$39.65 extra. These are in addition to regular Medicare rebates GPs receive.

CEO of the Healthy Communities Foundation of Australia, Mark Burdack said the situation reflected a "market rate" in the context of a shortage of GPs in the Western Plains and the fact Medicare rebates were from from seven years until 2021.

The revelations come as new data from Public Health Information Development Unit (PHIDU) at Torrens University shows shows Brewarrina has the second lowest life expectancy 

The shire of around 1,143 people has a life expectancy of 71 according to PHIDU, making for the lowest life expectancy in the Western Plains and second lowest in NSW.

This compares to areas of metro Sydney such as Woolhara which sits at 86, the Northern Beaches (85) and Mosman (84).

The data also showed Bourke people have aan average life expectancy of 72.

Walgett and Warren have a life expectancy of 75.

In Coonamble and Narromine it is 77.

It's 79 in Cobar and 80 in Gilgandra and Bogan shires.