COVID vaccination billing streamlined Medicare rebates for COVID-19 vaccination have increased to compensate for the removal of booster and PIP payments.
In Practice: AJGP revamp to launch first edition of 2023 The AJGP cover design has undergone an update to enable easier navigation of what’s in each issue and referencing articles.
Limited evidence behind decision to cut long phone consultations Health researchers want longer phone consultations to be reinstated, saying there was ‘little evidence’ to support the change.
Telehealth expansion ‘informed by robust policy’: Audit Auditors have examined a shift described as ‘10 years of reform in only 10 days,’ and issued several recommendations to Government.
Healthcare reform debate heats up ahead of National Cabinet The RACGP has warned against the use of ‘band-aid’ solutions to fix Medicare, amid calls for private insurers to cover GP gap payments and ‘empowering’ allied health to extend their scope of practice.
Government flags shift in fee-for-service model Minister says reforms will involve every health professional ‘working to their scope of practice’, while RACGP stresses importance of GP stewardship.
Under-billing not part of Medicare review terms The RACGP has voiced its disappointment over a decision to not include under-billing as part of the ongoing review into Medicare integrity and compliance.
New payroll tax interpretation threatens future of after-hours care Using weekend rosters as a marker for general practice payroll tax liability will inevitably place a huge additional burden on over-stretched hospitals, GPs say.
Further sign of accelerated bulk billing decline The decline in bulk billing rates has been flagged in the media, along with a warning of a further ‘exponential’ fall.
Health reform an ‘urgent priority’: Premiers’ new year push With the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce report imminent, state politicians are ensuring general practice remains at the top of the national agenda.