Most people with COVID-19 recover at home without face-to-face medical care and most consultations can be resolved with high quality telehealth consultations. However, in limited circumstances where telehealth is not appropriate, support is now available for an in-home visit where the visit will help avoid unnecessary escalation of COVID positive patients to hospital.

Under the program, CCQ (the PHN) will provide support to general practices who are actively managing COVID-19 positive cases in the community.  This initiative will facilitate in home visits for those individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 or who are impacted by a COVID-19 isolation direction while isolating at home or in a Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF). This support may be especially helpful for those with more complex co-morbid medical conditions and risk factors for deterioration who need assessment and management of other health conditions e.g. minor injury, wound dressings.

A general practitioner must assess the appropriateness and eligibility of a home visit, however practices can engage their practice nurses, nurse practitioners or general practitioners to conduct the home visit as deemed necessary. Home visits under this program are not intended to be for routine monitoring or for a reason that can be delayed until after the isolation period.

The practice will be paid a $250 fee for each visit. This includes an amount for reporting requirements and is a flat fee for all visits.

View the FAQs here.

To ensure continued access to COVID-19 primary course and booster vaccinations, CCQ can provide reimbursement to general practices for COVID vaccinations administered to non-Medicare eligible patients.

When a general practice makes a claim for a non-Medicare eligible vaccination, the reimbursements will be made directly to the practice and in line with the prescribed MBS equivalent and PIP payments where required.

To register as a payee please complete the New Vendor Information Form and provide this with the first reimbursement request.

All reimbursement requests must include the following to be processed:

• Non-MBS Vaccination Claim Form for each patient
• Invoice for services provided, to match the selection on the Claim Form/s o Invoice must be made out to the following:

Sunshine Coast Health Network Ltd PO Box 3067 Maroochydore QLD 4558

ABN: 21 156 526 706

All reimbursement requests are to be submitted within 2 weeks of the date of service. Following receipt of the required documentation, eligible payments will be made within 30 days.

Please submit all reimbursement requests and any queries to PracSupport@ourphn.org.au

• New Vendor Information Form
• Non-MBS Claim Form

The Vaccine Operations Centre:

• Manage the supply and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines
• Monitors and manages issues and incidents

Contact information:

1800 318 208

covid19vaccineoperationscentre@health.gov.au

• Traffic light system
• Department of Health and Aged Care
• QLD Health COVID-19 information for Queensland clinicians
• Health Direct
• National Clinical Evidence Taskforce – COVID-19
• COVID-19 vaccine allocations, storage and handling
• MBS Online

• POPGUNS Triage Process: Prioritisation of Patients - A Guide to Urgency for Non-Clinical staff
• Referral templates

• Queensland Doctors’ Health Advisory Service: free and confidential advice 24/7 to medical practitioners and medical students. This support advice includes: matters relating to stress, mental health, personal and financial crises needs. Phone: 07 3833 4352

• RACGP Support Program: free, confidential specialist advice to help cope with professional and personal stressors impacting areas such as, mental health and wellbeing, work performance and personal relationships. Phone: 1300 361 008

• ACRRM's Employee Assistance Program: free for members experiencing workplace, training, exam, or other stresses or issues impacting your personal wellbeing. Provides immediate, confidential phone counselling support 24/7 in Australia and overseas. Phone 1800 818 728

• Nurse & Midwifery Support: free and confidential support 24/7. Counsellors are available to discuss any health-related issues and provide advice and referral for nurses, midwives, nursing students, employers, educators, concerned others and the public. Phone: 1800 667 877

• CRANAplus Bush Support Services: free and confidential 24/7 telephone and online counselling service for rural and remote health practitioners and their families. Phone: 1800 805 391

• National Guidelines for the Prevention, Control and Public Health Management of Outbreaks of Acute Respiratory Infection (including COVID-19 and Influenza) in Residential Care Facilities

• EOI for COVID-19 vaccination clinic in RACFs

If you have any questions about the use of PPE or if you require PPE, email agedcarecovidppe@health.gov.au.