General Practice in Aged Care Incentive – accreditation and exemptions for non-traditional practices
Some general practitioners that deliver care to residential aged care homes operate as sole providers and mobile practices and until recently were not eligible for accreditation under the RACGP accreditation standards.
Following consultation, the definition of a general practice has been expanded by RACGP, providing an opportunity for more practices to benefit from enhanced quality and safety and practice incentive payments.
The RACGP Interpretative guide for non-traditional general practices for the purposes of accreditation provides general practices and accreditation assessors information to understand how the RACGP 5th Edition standards apply to general practices previously not eligible for accreditation. The interpretive guide outlines how indicators in the standards may apply differently or may not be relevant to non-traditional practices and those without a physical clinic premises.
Whilst MyMedicare, and the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive require a practice to be accredited, an exemption is in place until 30 June 2025. This will enable ‘non-traditional practices’ such as mobile general practitioners providing essential visiting services to Residential Aged Care Homes to participate in MyMedicare, and the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive.
Follow the links below to:
Non-traditional practices do not need to indicate their intention to become accredited to register and participate during the exemption period. CCQ will provide updates about the accreditation pathway and process for non-traditional practices as more information is made available by accreditation agencies.
Maintaining and improving access to care for residents living in aged care is a priority for CCQ. We invite non-traditional practices, particularly those delivering essential visiting care services to Residential Aged Care Homes to contact us pracsupport@c2coast.org.au for information and to explore options for participating in accreditation and the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive.
Learn more about the General Practice Aged Care Incentive: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/gpaci
Resources:
General Practice Aged Care Incentive fact sheet.
General Practice Aged Care Incentive frequently asked questions.
Webinar ‘Introduction to General Practice in Aged Care Incentive’ 6 August | 2pm, HERE.
First major change to MBS Chronic Disease Management items since 2005
The Department of Health and Aged Care has announced major changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items for chronic disease management from 1 November 2024.
The changes recommended by the MBS Review Taskforce, are ‘the first major change to the framework in almost 20 years’ and include:
- Replacing the current GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangements with a single GP Chronic Condition Management Plan
- Supporting continuity of care by requiring patients enrolled in MyMedicare to access management plans through the practice where they are enrolled (patients who aren’t enrolled will be able to access management plans through their usual GP).
Encouraging management plan reviews by:
- equalising the fees for developing and reviewing plans
- requiring patients to have their plan established or reviewed in the last 18 months so they can retain access to allied health and other services.
- formalising referral processes for allied health services so they are more consistent with other referral arrangements.
Chronic conditions management activities make up a substantial proportion of general practice activity with 2022 -23 data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare identifying that:
- 60 per cent of people (10.2 million) who visited a general practitioner (GP) in the last 12 months had a long-term health condition, and
- Almost 1 in 6 (16%; 4.1 million) Australians claimed a Chronic Disease Management service.
There are several steps your practice can take to prepare for these changes before 1 November:
- Discuss what these changes mean with your practice team and identify any activities or processes you need to review or update.
- Register your practice for MyMedicare if you have not done so already.
- Engage your patients to encourage them to register with your practice, particularly those with a chronic condition or existing care plan.
CCQ will keep you updated with more information about these changes as it is released. Please contact your Primary Health Coordinator, pracsupport@health.qld.gov.au for information and support.
Patient information about MyMedicare.
To inform patients and their carers about MyMedicare the resources below can help explain the benefits and what it means for them.
Patient Brochures
Mymedicare-DL-brochure.pdf (health.gov.au)
Patient Videos
Introducing MyMedicare | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Registering in MyMedicare | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Other useful links and information: https://c2coast.org.au/mymedicare/