What Happens When You Delay Seeing a Doctor? The Health & Cost Impact Explained
Access to a general practitioner (GP) is a cornerstone of preventative healthcare. But in Australia, a growing number of people skip or delay GP visits — often due to cost, time constraints, or difficulty securing timely appointments. While avoiding one visit may seem harmless, data shows that delaying care can lead to worse health outcomes, expensive emergency care, and increased pressure on the healthcare system.
In this article, we explore recent statistics on GP avoidance, the health and economic consequences of delayed care, and how telehealth is emerging as a viable solution to reduce barriers and encourage early intervention.
Key Takeways
- Nearly 3 in 10 Australians (≈ 29%) who needed to see a GP reported delaying or not seeing one in 2023-24.
- 8.8% cited cost as the reason for avoiding or delaying a GP visit in 2023-24.
- Delaying care can worsen chronic illnesses, increase preventable hospital admissions, and lead to higher overall healthcare costs.
- Telehealth offers a practical, accessible alternative — reducing cost, time, and location barriers for many Australians.
What Happens When People Delay Care?
Worsening of Chronic Conditions
When people skip GP visits, chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, or mental health disorders may go unmanaged or undetected. Over time, this can lead to serious complications — precisely the kinds of outcomes early GP intervention is meant to prevent.
Higher Rates of Emergency Presentations and Hospital Admissions
Delayed care often means conditions worsen beyond what outpatient management can handle — leading to preventable hospitalizations or emergency department (ED) visits. These not only impact individuals’ health but also contribute to rising pressure and costs in the broader health system.
While national data on avoidable admissions is complex, experts generally agree that many hospitalisations could be avoided if patients received timely primary care, especially for manageable conditions.
Mental Health Decline
Mental health is especially vulnerable when people avoid care. According to the 2023–24 survey, many delayed or avoided mental health support due to cost: 20.4% cited cost as a barrier to seeing a mental health professional. Delayed intervention can lead to worsening conditions, greater need for intensive treatment, and increased risk of crisis situations.
The Economic Cost of Avoiding the Doctor
Individual Financial Impact
- Skipped early care often leads to more serious health issues — requiring more intensive treatment, medication, or hospital stays. Costs accumulate.
- People may also lose income due to missed work, reduced productivity, or long-term illness.
Cost to Employers and Workforce
When chronic or unmanaged illness leads to absenteeism or presenteeism (working while sick), employers bear the burden — lost productivity, more sick leave, and potential increased insurance or healthcare costs.
Pressure on the National Health System
Primary care helps catch issues early. When that fails, conditions escalate — leading to more expensive hospital treatments, emergency care, and longer-term complications. Studies show that a significant portion of national health expenditure comes from reactive rather than preventative care.
How Telehealth Reduces Barriers and Improves Outcomes
Affordable, Fast, and Accessible Care
Telehealth can dramatically reduce key barriers:
- No travel costs or time off work for appointments.
- Often lower out-of-pocket expenses and easier bulk-billing arrangements.
- Flexible scheduling — ideal for people with busy lives, childcare, or work commitments.
By making access easier and cheaper, telehealth encourages people to seek care earlier — potentially preventing minor issues from becoming major ones.
Supporting Rural & Remote Australians
For those living outside metro areas — where GP shortages are common — telehealth offers a lifeline. It connects patients with qualified GPs or specialists without the need for long travel.
Better Early Intervention & Preventive Care
Telehealth is particularly useful for:
- Advising flu management
- Specialist referrals
- Mild infections or illnesses
- Renewing prescriptions or obtaining medical certificates
These services reduce the need for in-person visits while still ensuring continuous care — helping catch problems before they escalate.
Who Benefits Most from Telehealth?
- Working adults with busy schedules or irregular hours
- Parents & carers
- Regional and remote residents
- Individuals seeking mental health support or follow-ups
Early Care Saves Lives — and Money
Skipping or delaying GP visits may seem like a harmless way to save money or time — but the evidence shows it often leads to worsening health problems, higher long-term costs, and increased strain on Australia’s health system.
Telehealth offers a promising alternative: affordable, accessible, and convenient care that can help people get treatment early — before small issues become serious.
If you can, prioritise early care. It’s good for your health — and for the broader community.
Sources:
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-18/abs-finds-cost-impacts-how-australians-access-health-care/104615572
- https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-services/patient-experiences/2024-25
- https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-services/patient-experiences/2023-24
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-07/bulk-billing-low-as-gps-spend-longer-with-patients-racgp/105856332
- https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/measuring-what-matters/measuring-what-matters-themes-and-indicators/healthy/access-health-services
- https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/primary-health-care/general-practice-allied-health-primary-care
- https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/ac10875a-dab5-4552-942b-f9e120c7fac3/ah24-topic-summaries.pdf
