racgp.org.au website refresh
The new look racgp.org.au has arrived.
The RACGP has made some key updates and improvements based on members’ feedback, including:
- Intuitive design and streamlined navigation
- The most frequently visited pages have been made more easily accessible
- 'Suggested reading’ links at the bottom of all content pages
- Exclusive RACGP member-only content
- A new dashboard for RACGP members, with easier access to key RACGP applications.
RACGP members’ login details have not changed.
The RACGP is proud to continue improving its digital offerings for members, including the recently launched RACGP member app, and the first fully digital, interactive RACGP annual report.
For any assistance or questions, please contact your local faculty office or the RACGP national member services team on 1800 472 247.
MBS fee summary 2018
The RACGP provides the annual MBS fee summary to members as a quick and easy reference to Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers and patient rebates relevant to general practice.
The latest version of the MBS fee summary is now available to members on the RACGP website, along with a one-page summary that covers the most commonly used items in general practices. Each digital resource can be customised with a practice’s own clinic fees. Hard copies are available on request by emailing advocacy@racgp.org.au
Recent RACGP submissions to the MBS Review Taskforce
The MBS Review Taskforce (the Taskforce) recently released two reports, ‘Diagnostic Imaging Clinical Committee – Breast Imaging’ (22 August) and ‘Gynaecology Clinical Committee’ (4 September). The RACGP has made submissions to each of these committees, responding to recommendations affecting general practice. Members and RACGP committees informed the submissions.
In the submission to the Diagnostic Imaging Clinical Committee – Breast Imaging, the RACGP responded to various recommendations related to mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and marker clip items.
In the submission to the Gynaecology Clinical Committee, the RACGP responded to various recommendations related to specialist differentiation and an increase the patient rebate for intra uterine device (IUD) introduction, as well as outlining additional considerations to support women regarding contraception, pregnancy and unplanned pregnancy.
Changes to compliance arrangements for Medicare – debt recovery
The RACGP recently advised members that changes had been made to Medicare compliance arrangements concerning debt recovery. More information on these changes is available on the RACGP website.
The Department of Health (DoH) has started implementing the changes to debt recovery arrangements by:
- reducing or offsetting providers' bulk-billed Medicare claims by up to 20 per cent or;
- ccessing any funds owed to them by providers who do not bulk bill, including from bank accounts.
Health practitioners with outstanding debt and who have not agreed to a repayment plan will receive a letter stating payment of their debt is overdue. If no action is taken by the health practitioner, they will then receive a final overdue notice advising of debt-recovery initiation.
If you receive either of the above letters, or have questions or concerns regarding this process, please contact the DoH’s Provider Benefits Integrity Division on 02 6289 9390 or via email at PBIDrecover@health.gov.au
In Practice poll – GP billing behaviours when facing rising patient out-of-pocket costs
As a result of the 2017–18 Federal Budget, there has been a gradual re-indexation of some Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items. However, the level of indexation itself does not cover the increased costs that practices have experienced over the period of the MBS freeze. Practices experience a continuing increase in costs year on year.
We polled members to see whether they intend to change the way they bill patients in the near future. The majority of respondents (74%) said they intend to do so. Of these respondents:
- 12% said they will increase the fee for services that already attract an out-of-pocket cost
- 31% said they will charge a fee to patients who are currently bulk billed
- 31% said they will both increase existing fees, and introduce fees to more patients.
Just over one quarter of respondents said they would not be changing their billing in the near future, with 18% saying they will continue to bulk bill the majority of my patients without change, and 8% will continue to privately bill the majority of my patients without change.
Thank you to all respondents for taking time to provide feedback, which will help to inform our continued advocacy regarding general practice business sustainability.