Doctors say the Federal Government is trying to introduce a GP co-payment by stealth.

The AMA says that if the Government does not end a freeze on the Medicare rebate, doctors and patients will lose out.

AMA president Brian Owler said last week’s Budget showed no plans for the freeze to end before 2018.

The AMA found little to like in a budget that also removes $150 million from general practice through changes to child health checks, and contains no intention to stop “savage” cuts to the public hospital system, proposed in the 2014 budget.

Modelling shows that the indexation freeze will see doctors forced to pass-on out-of-pocket expenses to patients.

It is effectively a co-payment of as much as $8, even more than that government sought before it dumped its co-payment plan.

“We will see less bulk billing and there is the possibility of seeing a co-payment by stealth as has been alluded to by some,” Dr Owler told reporters.

Treasurer Joe Hockey has confirmed the government will pursue an increase in the patient co-payment.

The government’s plan is to increase the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme co-payment by $5 for general patients and 80 cents for concession card holders, but the idea – like many others - is stalled in the Senate.