EXCLUSIVE

The federal Coalition is facing an early election headache with thousands of GPs set to urge their patients to lobby against the extended freeze on Medicare rebates.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners will launch its campaign against the government's decision to continue to freeze current rebates until 2019/20, which it says will force more doctors to start charging their patients a co-payment. The government expects the move will save it about $925.3 million.

From Monday, the 32,000 members will hang posters in their waiting rooms that warn: "Danger. You and your family's health is being targeted. The extended freeze on Medicare rebates means you will pay more!"