Significant increase in palliative care services provided at home Medicare-subsidised in-home palliative care services almost doubled between 2015–16 and 2019–20, according to a new AIHW report.
RACGP welcomes $1.8b in primary care funding But President Dr Karen Price has said more support is needed to maintain and improve quality GP patient services.
Full clarity on telehealth extension not expected until Federal Budget But the Department of Health has revealed which mental health phone consultation MBS item numbers will remain beyond 30 June.
Longer phone consultations not part of telehealth extension Medicare support for phone consultations longer than 20 minutes will end after 30 June, provoking a strong response from the RACGP.
Telehealth extended but details remain limited The RACGP has cautiously welcomed the six month extension but is still waiting to confirm the policy’s final details.
Funding for in-home COVID vaccine assessments ‘inadequate’ GPs have questioned the lack of a dedicated MBS item number for housebound patients.
RACGP President unveils long-term vision for telehealth Dr Karen Price presented the keynote address at the National Telehealth Summit, where she emphatically stated it is ‘here to stay’.
GPs want telehealth clarity Department of Health compliance letters have been sent to confused GPs who have been ‘caught out’ by rules around MBS claiming.
MBS mental health gap must be addressed: RACGP GPs are ‘effectively discouraged’ from providing quality mental health care under the current system, a college submission has stated.
RACGP calls for changes after ECG Medicare cuts The college wants GPs to be treated for what they are – medical specialists – when billing for electrocardiograms.