CDM funding must be retained: RACGP

With sweeping changes to chronic disease management (CDM) Medicare items coming into effect in a matter of months, the RACGP has doubled down on its demands for funding not to be cut.
 
As of 1 November, MBS items will be changing to replace the current GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangements with a single GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
 
Announced in last year’s May Budget, the Federal Government said the change aims to support patients who would ‘benefit from a structured approach to their care’.
 
But the RACGP says cutting funding for chronic disease care in general practice will leave patients worse off and is now calling for Government to guarantee this will not happen.
 
It also says GPs have been left in the dark about the looming changes, saying more information is needed before the reforms go live.
 
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said it is crucial these reforms do not result in a funding cut for patient rebates.
 
‘The delay in informing GPs and their patients of the impact is unacceptable,’ she said.
 
‘To date the Federal Government has failed to guarantee this imminent reform will not result in a funding cut for chronic disease management in general practice.
 
‘These changes are set to start in less than three months, and we still don’t know how they will impact the cost of patient care.’
 
Chronic disease management and planning needs a lead time to be appropriate to patient care, with the changes due in under three months covering what would be a review period.
 
Changes will also be rolled out on 1 November which will require patients enrolled in MyMedicare to access management plans through the practice where they are enrolled.
 
Patients who are not enrolled will be able to access management plans through their usual GP.
 
The changes come as more than half of all Australians have one of more chronic diseases, and it is already leading to greater poor health, disability, and premature death.
 
At the same time, the cost of care is increasing, with Medicare rebates failing to keep up with inflation and not covering the full cost of patient care. 
 
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, health inflation has risen 5.3% in the past year and is now higher than any other category, aside from alcohol and tobacco, and insurance and financial services.
 
Medical and hospital services were the main contributor to the rise. 

Dr Higgins said GPs are at the frontline caring for patients with chronic disease, and the wait in information being release is creating anxiety amongst medical professionals.
 
‘The delay is causing GPs and their patients’ unnecessary frustration and stress,’ she said.
 
‘GPs need to be able to plan ahead for these changes, and time to adjust, particularly in rural and remote areas.
 
‘GPs know people can’t afford to pay more to see a doctor right now. We need the Government to guarantee no patient will be left paying more as a result of these reforms.’
 
An RACGP submission released earlier this year said Medicare rebates are putting healthcare out of reach for those with a chronic condition, and that patients with complex conditions need more time with GPs than current funding levels can provide.
 
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chronic disease chronic disease management plan general practice funding MBS items Medicare