01 November 2019


Consultation now open on the future national digital health infrastructure

The Australian Digital Health Agency is inviting contributions to the conversation on the future national digital health infrastructure via a request for information (RFI).

This RFI seeks information from industry, including general practice, about potential future options, themes and considerations for products, services and technologies for the future. 

This RFI is sought on the premise that there is no fixed view on the future design or technologies, and  no assumption the current model, technologies or operations of the national infrastructure should be continued into the future.

So if you could have your wish list, what would it be? 

Visit an online survey on the RACGP website to provide your feedback. 

Contact ehealth@racgp.org.au for further information or assistance.


Closing the Gap survey deadline extended

The Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations, (Coalition of Peaks), is working with Australian governments to develop a new National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

This will set out what we will do over the next 10 years to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  

The survey deadline has been extended to 8 November October, so there is still time to share your views through the online survey.   

Visit the RACGP website to view responses to some of the survey questions.


New resources to help GPs share data

In healthcare, the primary source of data is derived from clinical care delivery to patients. When this data is used outside of the general practice setting for purposes other than those for which it was originally collected, it is referred to as 'secondary use of data'.

The RACGP has developed new resources to help practices evaluate requests for data for secondary use, minimise risk, and comply with relevant legislation:

The Practice Incentives Program Quality Improvement (PIP-QI) Incentive is a payment to encourage practices to participate in quality improvement activities, aimed at improving patient outcomes through the delivery of quality care.

The RACGP has also developed a factsheet to inform practices of the latest PIP QI developments:

Visit the RACGP website to access these resources.


Notice of compliance activities – Use of Medicare Benefits Schedule items for acupuncture, assistance at operations

At the end of October, the Department of Health (DoH) will send letters to a small number of doctors regarding their claims of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items relating to acupuncture (173, 193, 195, 197 and 199) and assistance at operations (MBS items 51300 and 51303).

The letters will advise of claims made incorrectly according to DoH data. If you receive a letter, you will be prompted to review the relevant claims. You will have the opportunity to either discuss your claiming with the department, if you believe the claims to be correct, or voluntarily repay incorrect payments.

If you have feedback on this or any other compliance activities, contact healthreform@racgp.org.au.

Your feedback will inform RACGP discussions with DoH on the scope and impact of these activities.


Submission to the Department of Health – Health Legislation Amendment (data-matching) Bill 2019

The RACGP has provided a submission to the Department of Health on the Health Legislation Amendment (Data-matching) Bill 2019.

The legislation would allow the matching of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) datasets, and the matching of these datasets with data held by a number of external agencies.

The RACGP submission raises several broad concerns about the use of data for Medicare compliance purposes, including:

  • the need for greater clarity around proposed data usage
  • how negative perceptions of existing compliance processes can interfere with good patient management and the delivery of quality care.

The submission also reinforces the need for preventative rather than punitive compliance measures, as well as greater education for healthcare professionals and clearer communication around Medicare changes.

If you have any feedback on the data-matching reforms, or more broadly on Medicare compliance, please email healthreform@racgp.org.au.

 
 

Media enquiries

Journalists and media outlets seeking comment and information from the RACGP should contact:

John Ronan

Senior Media Advisor