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RACGP calls for clarity as CDM changes draw closer
With a looming start date of 1 July for Medicare item changes, the college has written to health officials calling for GPs to have time to prepare.
The RACGP says a lack of clarity on upcoming chronic disease management items could leave GPs in limbo once again.
A lack of clarity on upcoming chronic disease management (CDM) changes earmarked for a 1 July start has prompted the RACGP to again raise concerns with the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC).
The Federal Government’s proposed changes to Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items for CDM have now stalled as the Federal Government sits in caretaker mode ahead of the 3 May election.
In a letter to the DoHAC this week, RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said he is ‘extremely concerned’ the changes, now unable to receive the required regulatory approval until after the next Australian Government is sworn in, will result in insufficient time for GPs to prepare or be delayed once again.
Under the upcoming changes, a single GP Chronic Condition Management Plan MBS item number will replace the current GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangements.
There is also a raft of adjustments being made to support continuity of care, encourage management plan reviews with a regular GP, formalise referral processes for allied health services, and ensure patients do not lose access to their current services while transitioning under new arrangements.
The CDM changes were recommended by the MBS Review Taskforce and, according to the DoHAC, are designed to ‘simplify, streamline, and modernise’ the arrangements for healthcare professionals and patients and to promote continuity of care.
Dr Wright said while the RACGP supports the simplification of CDM arrangements, a lack of clarity along with the current pre-election pause puts GPs in limbo as the 1 July start-date draws near.
‘As previously articulated, we are extremely concerned the proposed CDM changes are set to be introduced in less than three months. This leaves little time for our members, and their patients to plan for these changes,' he said.
‘Quality healthcare is longitudinal and GPs plan care with their patients. Time to adjust is particularly important for those in rural and remote areas.’
Originally set for a 1 November 2024 commencement, the Commonwealth deferred its CDM changes after pressure from GPs and the college over a lack of funding detail behind the new item.
If further delay is required, the RACGP requested DoHAC make a prompt decision and advise GPs, as doctors and their patients are ‘anxious for further information to prevent any disruptions to planned care’.
The RACGP also reiterated calls for CDM changes to be adequately funded, following previous warnings to the Federal Government that any cut to overall patient funding for CDM will result in increased costs to patients, lower bulk billing rates, poorer outcomes and increased hospitalisations.
A newsGP poll from August 2024 found 69% of 1367 respondents reported they would be unable to bulk bill chronic disease patients if current CDM funding was cut.
‘We repeat our calls for you to ensure the government provides appropriate rebates for CDM items to support continuous, comprehensive general practice care for patients with chronic disease,’ Dr Wright wrote.
‘Currently 99.2% of chronic disease and complex care management items are bulk billed by GPs, meaning almost all patients can access this care at no out-of-pocket cost.
‘However, a cut to overall patient funding in this area, as will occur with the indicated new rebate, will result in increased costs to patients, lower bulk billing rates, poorer outcomes and increased hospitalisations.’
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Chronic disease chronic disease management plan general practice funding MBS item Medicare
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