Summary
11 October 2018
On 4 September 2018, the MBS Review Taskforce released the Report from the Gynaecology Clinical Committee for consultation.
Recommendations that could potentially affect general practice were identified throughout the report. The RACGP sought feedback from expert committees to inform its submission. The RACGP:
- expressed support for the removal of specialist ‘S’ and general practitioner ‘G’ differentiation in rebates for gynaecological procedures that are otherwise identical
- expressed support for increasing GP utilisation and increase the patient rebate for item 35503 – introduction of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD), highlighting the significant time, expertise and resources required for IUD introduction as a current barrier to service provision
- outlined additional considerations that the Committee could address, in line with the stated principle of increasing access to long term reversible contraception (LARC) and supporting women regarding contraception, pregnancy and unplanned pregnancy, including:
- introducing specific item numbers for the insertion and removal of Implanon NXT (separating it from the introduction of other hormones via cannula)
- whether there is potential for the MBS can support women in regards to pregnancy and unplanned pregnancy, particularly in regards to accessing medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP).
The RACGP welcomes the MBS Review as an opportunity to modernise Medicare and argues for better recognition and focus on GPs through the MBS review process.