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Federal Government confirms new COVID vaccine item numbers
General practices stand to receive between $65 and $74.90 for each fully vaccinated patient.
After-hours MBS items have also been created, which add an additional $12.15 onto the support received for each individual dose. (Image: AAP)
UPDATED
The Department of Health (DoH) has revealed the financial support GPs stand to receive should they participate in the Federal Government’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
GPs in MMM1 areas will be able to claim a Level A attendance and a double bulk-billing incentive item (totaling $30.75) for delivering the first dose of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, along with a Level A and standard bulk-billing incentive for the second ($24.25).
Those in MMM2–7 areas will receive $37.35 for the first dose and $27.55 for the second, while all practices are eligible to receive an additional $10 Practice Incentive Payment (PIP) for patients who receive both doses at the same clinic.
Separate after-hours Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items have also been created, which add an additional $12.15 onto the support received for each individual dose.
newsGP understands that practice nurses will be able to administer the vaccines and bill the new items without GPs being present, though GPs will need to oversee the process.
RACGP President Dr Karen Price told newsGP it is good to have clarity from the Federal Government after weeks of constructive conversations on support for general practice.
‘From the beginning of this process, the RACGP has argued that this is not a standard vaccination program, given the clinical, logistical and administrative costs associated with providing such a service,’ she said.
‘The widespread provision of vaccines from GPs and general practice will rely on the financial sustainability of providing the immunisation services themselves.
‘Now we have this clarity, I know general practices right across the country will be doing the figures and working out whether they will be in a position to support this national health response.
‘While it won’t be for every practice, I hope we’ll see enough taken up by general practice through the expression of interest program to get Australia vaccinated and back to some normality.’
Under the plan, GPs and other healthcare providers will need to register with the DoH to become COVID-19 vaccine providers.
At present, the Government's expression of interest for COVID vaccines is capped at 1000 practices and is aimed at clinics able to provide mass vaccinations.
The DoH will use the data to monitor the vaccine distribution and rollout, and ensure compliance with required regulations. GPs will need to complete mandatory vaccine training – likely an online module – and commit to uploading patient vaccination records to the Australian Immunisation Register in order to take part in the rollout.
According to the DoH, even if the vaccine is administered as part of a usual consultation, GPs will still be able to bill the new MBS item in addition to the usual consultation fee. But while GPs will be able to privately bill for a usual consultation with a patient, the item claimed for administering the vaccine must be bulk billed.
It is also anticipated that opportunistic vaccination will only occur in specific circumstances, such as at the end of the day, and that vaccine appointments will generally need to be booked in advance to ensure there is no wastage.
Dr Price said it is imperative that any vaccine shortages are communicated immediately in order to minimise disruption to practice operations and for patients.
‘The logistics of this national vaccination program cannot be underestimated, and we need to make sure GPs who participate have regular access to the vaccine to meet demand,’ she said.
‘The profession was overlooked with regard to personal protective equipment [PPE] planning and distribution, this cannot be allowed to occur during the vaccine rollout.
‘As a cornerstone of Australia’s vaccination program, it is critical that GPs are appropriately recognised, supported and valued throughout the entire process.’
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