The latest version of the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive user guide includes after-hours MBS item numbers and an example of triple bulk-billing benefits.
PHNs across the country have collaborated to design this user guide and continue to work as a connected network to support local change management for MyMedicare.
This resource provides a quick reference guide for general practices with examples of how to use MBS items, to meet quarterly and annual service delivery requirements for the new incentive. It is available here.
How to use this guide
To use the guide in your practice, simply select the sample schedule and example annual cycle billing scenario that best suits your practice team and setting.
There are three main general practice sample schedules (pages 3-8) reflected in this user guide:
- Responsible provider only – where a single GP delivers all care to the resident.
- Responsible provider + alternative provider – where other members of the practice team also deliver care to the resident including other GPs, prescribed medical practitioners and nurse practitioners.
- Responsible provider + other care team members – where other members of the practice team also include visits delivered by practice nurses or Aboriginal health workers, in addition to other GPs, prescribed medical practitioners and nurse practitioners.
The guide incorporates a variation of sample schedules that describes how telehealth items could be billed for practices in MMM 4-7. The guide also includes example annual cycle including estimated billings (pages 11 -14) to support your practice to deliver the proactive and regular planned care required to meet the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive. On page 15 there is an example of triple bulk billing incentives.
There are a range of ways your practice could use the guide including:
- Identify the sample schedule and example annual cycle billing scenario that best suits your practice team and setting. Print these or share them with your practice team to inform care planning for the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive.
- Review your historical billing practices for Residential Aged Care Home (RACH) patients and use the guide to develop a quick PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) to identify any improvements you could make to billing and care practices.
- Plan care for your RACH patients 3-6 months ahead by booking appointments for RACH visits each month using the example annual cycle as a guide. Consider how you can group visits to a RACH in your practice booking system to maximize efficiency of clinician time.
- Meet with your practice team to reflect on the guide, and identify opportunities for practice nurses, Aboriginal health workers and other doctors to support or deliver care. For example, could practice nurses to work alongside doctors at aged care visits to work up care planning and make the visit more efficient for your practice, residential aged care homes, and patients you care for that are residents of aged care homes?
