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MYEFO: What’s in it for general practice?
The RACGP reviewed expense measures in the 2018–19 MYEFO and developed an overview of new initiatives and changes to existing programs.
The 2018–19 MYEFO includes a $512 million commitment to strengthen primary healthcare. (Image: Mick Tsikas)
The Federal Government released its 2018–19 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) on Monday 17 December.
The key announcement for general practice was more than half a billion dollars to bolster primary care in Australia.
‘The announcement of a $512 million commitment to primary healthcare is evidence the Government is moving in the right direction towards making sure Australians will have accessible and affordable access to primary healthcare,’ RACGP President Dr Harry Nespolon told newsGP.
‘The RACGP will continue to advocate for additional funding and services to ensure that general practice is prepared for the future.’
The primary care package announced in the MYEFO includes $318.3 million in new funding specifically directed towards general practice, as well as:
- $98 million over four years for GPs visiting residential aged care facilities, including the introduction of a $55 call-out fee
- $146.5 million over to facilitate Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to continue to provide localised after-hours services
- $33.5 million for GP telehealth rural services
- $17.5 million for chronic disease management.
As part of the package, the Federal Government also announced:
- an extension of the Health Care Homes trial by two years, until 30 June 2021, and an extension on patient enrolment until 30 June 2019, or until enrolment reaches the program’s new patient cap of 12,000
- a new wound management trail from 1 December 2019 until 30 June 2022 to test models of care for chronic wound management
- changes to administration and eligibility for various medical and professional indemnity schemes.
Also announced in the MYEFO was $51.8 million over four years for new listings on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) from 1 April 2019.
The Government also announced funding for:
- a new community health and hospitals program
- new and amended listings to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)
- new and amended listings for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
- health and medical research funding
- medicinal cannabis scheme licencing and compliance
- youth mental health services
- improvements to quality, services and access for aged care services.
A detailed RACGP overview of the 2019–19 MYEFO is available on the
college website.
Economic and Fiscal Outlook general practice MYEFO
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