Following a period of confusion, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is pleased to confirm time spent by practice nurses in the delivery of health assessments can be calculated into Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS) billing.
The Department of Health (DoH) has today released advice for GPs clarifying the role of the practice nurses and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners and related billing options for health assessments.
The advice states: “The time needed to undertake the aspects … of the health assessment by the practice nurse or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner may be added to the time taken by the GP to complete the assessment.”
RACGP President, Dr Liz Marles said the advice clarifies the ambiguity of information released in July that left many GPs unsure as to whether practice nurse time would be appropriately recognised.
“Many GPs and their nursing staff feared the negative ramifications of reduced funding of nurses as part of the medical team.
“The RACGP is pleased the DoH and DHS have clarified their advice to reflect the original intent of the descriptor of MBS item numbers 701–707 and 715,” said Dr Marles.
Preventive healthcare is an important activity in general practice and is crucial in addressing the health disparities faced by disadvantaged and vulnerable population groups.
“Health assessments provide patients the opportunity to get on the front-foot of their health.
“Preventive health is vitally important to curbing the onset of numerous chronic diseases, many of which can be prevented through simple lifestyle interventions that GPs can help facilitate.
“The successful collaboration between GPs and practice nurses can ensure every Australian achieves optimal health outcomes and to reduce the chance of expensive hospital presentations in the long term,” said Dr Marles.
To facilitate evidence-based preventive health activities in general practice, the RACGP has developed the Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice (8th edition), commonly referred to as the ‘red book’ which is widely accepted as the core guide to the provision of preventive care in Australian general practice.
As the peak professional body representing Australian general practice, the RACGP will continue to advocate on behalf of its members and the general practice profession.