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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.
More detailed information on the upcoming telehealth changes will be published alongside the Federal Budget.
Patients will be able to access a number of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers to support extended mental health phone consultations until at least 31 December.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt had earlier announced that Medicare-funded longer phone consultations will not be included in the next temporary extension of telehealth, but a Department of Health (DoH) spokesperson has since expanded on the announcement, clarifying that some mental health phone items will remain.
‘The broad range of GP attendances that were replicated for telephone delivery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be replaced with a smaller number of telephone items,’ the spokesperson said.
‘[However], certain mental health treatment services, including longer consultations delivered by telephone will be retained. This will include items such as 2712, 2713, 2721 and 2725.’
RACGP President Dr Karen Price told newsGP she is pleased that some of the extended mental health phone consultation items have been retained, but is still anxious to see the final details once they are released.
‘These extended phone consultations can be a lifeline for our patients, particularly those who are vulnerable or live in rural and remote areas and don’t have the same access to specialised mental health support as many other Australians,’ she said.
‘GPs are the gateway to mental health treatment in this country, and considering we are in the middle of the worst pandemic in more than 100 years, it is vital we provide as many avenues as possible for people to access this support.
‘So while I welcome the retention of these invaluable patient rebates, the college will continue to strongly advocate for the inclusion of as many Medicare-funded options as possible for GPs and the Australian public.’
According to the DoH, more detailed information on the upcoming telehealth changes will be published alongside the Federal Budget on 11 May.
‘The [incoming] changes are informed by Medicare data and expert advice, including the MBS Review Taskforce findings on telehealth,’ the spokesperson said.
‘Since the introduction of telehealth items as part of the [Federal] Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, around six out of every seven GP telehealth consultations, across the range of items available, is a phone consultation equivalent to a Level A or Level B attendance.
‘The Government continues to work with peak bodies to co-design permanent post pandemic telehealth as part of broader primary care reforms to modernise Medicare and provide flexibility of access to primary and allied healthcare services.’
Dr Price said further discussions between the college and the Government will continue to convey the complexity of work that GPs undertake, and emphasise why flexibility of care is important.
‘No one deals with the variety and breadth of patients – and their individual healthcare needs – in the same manner as a GP. We have a proven track record of excellence and need to be entrusted to do the job properly,’ she said.
‘High quality care should not be dependent on a postcode or six-figure salary. Everyone deserves the same level of healthcare and GPs must be supported to deliver this to our patients.
‘For example, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have found telephone telehealth to be a vital connection to primary care services. We should be adding healthcare options, not taking them away – especially when the gap in healthcare outcomes remains so large.
‘For too long general practice has been asked to do more with less. It’s time for change.’
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