News
In Practice: Valuable information for RACGP members
The first edition for 2022 contains professional and clinical information directly relevant to general practice.
A series of podcasts and webinars feature in this edition of In Practice.
This week’s round up includes changes to the Rural Veteran’s Access Payment Incentive, details on applying for the Practice Experience Program (PEP), dates for Practice Owners Masterclasses, and information on diabetes webinars and COVID podcasts.
Changes to the Rural Veterans’ Access Payment Incentive
Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) bulk billing incentives for GPs in rural and remote areas were increased on 1 January 2022.
The increase to rural bulk billing incentives will also apply to the Veterans’ Access Payment (VAP) for services provided to Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) clients.
MBS VAP Incentive items are unable to be claimed in conjunction with telehealth services provided to DVA clients. From 1 January 2022, DVA is introducing additional item numbers to allow GPs to claim the VAP. A list of DVA item numbers is available on the RACGP website.
GPs will need to claim the VAP using the DVA item in conjunction with any telehealth services provided to their DVA patients. If a practice utilises third party software which allows them to automatically claim the VAP incentive with eligible items, they should contact their software vendor to determine the best way to claim under these arrangements.
Practice Owners Masterclasses 2022
General practice owners have the opportunity to join one of the RACGP’s masterclasses in the 2022 series.
- Brisbane: Saturday 19 February
- Townsville: Saturday 5 March
- Sydney: Saturday 26 March
- Darwin: Saturday 30 April
Each Practice Owners Masterclass is a one-day interactive workshop built around an existing clinic case study of two GP owners, with the aim to walk through the development of a successful business and strategic plan.
Participants will learn more about:
- development of a business and strategic plan
- accounting and financials
- getting the best out of practice staff
- patients and services
- doctor payments.
The educational workshop is a CPD Accredited Activity and is eligible for 40 CPD points.
Register online.
Last chance to apply for the PEP – applications now open
This is the last opportunity non-VR doctors planning to sit the RACGP Fellowship exams have to apply for the Practice Experience Program (PEP) under the current government funding scheme.
The rules around exam eligibility have changed and only those on an RACGP-approved program such as the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT), Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) or PEP Specialist Stream, or those who have satisfactorily completed the PEP Standard Stream, will remain eligible to sit.
It is important to note that places are limited and not all eligible applicants will be accepted into the program.
Applications are open until 1 February 2022 and can be made via the
RACGP website.
Update: Type 2 diabetes management
Hear the latest on type 2 diabetes management on Thursday 10 February at 8.00 pm AEDT.
Hosted by Dr Gary Deed (Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Diabetes) and Dr Tom Dover (endocrinologist, dietitian, and exercise physiologist), the webinar will cover therapies, sick days, definition of remission, and guidelines. Self-record CPD.
Register via the
RACGP website.
Special COVID-19 podcast – The Good GP
Tune into the latest COVID-19 episodes of The Good GP.
Over two short episodes, hosts Dr Tim Koh, Dr Krystyna DeLange and Dr Sean Stevens will explore
COVID-19 vaccination in children and
the Omicron variant, including how it compares to previous strains.
Log in below to join the conversation.
diabetes In Practice Omicron veterans health
newsGP weekly poll
What is your chief concern with role substitution?