News
In Practice: MBS online tool updated
November ushered in a host of changes to the MBS. The RACGP’s online tool is designed to help GPs keep up to date with billing.
The RACGP’s MBS online tool has been updated to reflect the raft of 1 November changes to the MBS.
This week’s In Practice also includes information for GPs to ensure they keep up to date with Medicare compliance, the latest on Rural Generalist recognition, and upcoming educational activities on COPD, mental health skills training, and point-of-care ultrasound.
MBS online tool
The RACGP’s Medicare Benefits Schedule online tool has been updated to reflect the 1 November MBS changes.
The following changes have been incorporated into the relevant guides:
- Indexation of rebates
- Tripled bulk-billing incentives
- New Level E (>60 minutes) items
- Introduction of a maximum consultation length for Level D items
- Introduction of a six-minute minimum time for Level B consultations
- New Level C and D phone items for MyMedicare patients
- Removal of item 91894
The college’s
MBS guides for providers delivering care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients (GP and OMP) have also been updated.
Rural Generalist recognition: Your questions answered
Webinar: Monday 6 November, 7.00 pm (AEDT)
Rural Generalist (RG) Medicine recognition has
reached an exciting milestone, with
consultation now open for the second and final stage assessment.
RG recognition is an opportunity to create a single, national RG quality standard which is transparent, safe, purpose-designed, and easily understood by systems, patients, and doctors.
RACGP members are invited to find out more about RG recognition and the consultation process and what it might mean for them.
The webinar will be presented by members of the National Rural Generalist Taskforce, including:
- National Rural Health Commissioner, Adjunct Professor Ruth Stewart
- ACRRM CEO, Marita Cowie
- RACGP CEO, Paul Wappett
- RACGP Rural Council Chair, Associate Professor Michael Clements
- RACGP Rural Council Censor, Dr Ken Wanguhu
- RACGP Rural Manager, Andrew Hayward
- ACRRM GP representatives, Dr Ewen McPhee and Dr Michael Beckoff
- ACRRM Senior Policy Advisor, Mary Jane Streeton
Register online.
Unpacking the Medicare compliance process
Webinar: Monday 13 November, 7.00 pm (AEDT)
A new RACGP-hosted webinar, presented with the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoH) and the Professional Services Review (PSR), will aim to alleviate some of the fear and misconceptions that exist around Medicare compliance.
DoH Senior Medical Adviser Dr Sarah Mahoney is due to present on the principles of how to claim Medicare items appropriately as well as how the department’s compliance work relates to and differs from the work of the PSR.
Meanwhile, Dr Antonio Di Dio, PSR Acting Director, will provide an overview of the PSR process for GPs, including how it PSR determines if a practitioner has engaged in inappropriate practice.
Register online.
New CPD activity: Reducing your risk of Medicare non-compliance
The RACGP has developed a new CPD activity available through
gplearning, which is designed to improve GPs’ understanding of the MBS and reduce the risk of incorrect billing and non-compliance.
It will ask participants to respond to multiple-choice questions and note down reflections and key learnings on how they currently bill, areas of concern, and their practice’s approach to Medicare compliance.
The activity utilises resources developed by the RACGP, Department of Health and Aged Care and Services Australia to provide a better understanding of the basic principles of the MBS, problem item numbers and compliance processes.
The course can be accessed by following the below steps:
- Log into the RACGP website with member account
- Click on ‘My Account’ in the top right-hand corner
- Click on ‘gplearning 2023’
- Click on ‘Browse’ in the navigation bar at the top and search for ‘Reducing your risk of Medicare non-compliance’
Online Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training
RACGP Rural’s Online Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training (FPS ST) package provides GPs with essential training to enable them to become a GP provider of FPS and provide cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-derived counselling to patients in their practice.
This flexible, fully online and accredited training package uses technology, peer learning groups and locally available resources to provide GPs with access to complete all the requirements of FPS ST, without leaving their home or practice. On completion, GPs can register with Medicare as FPS providers and access FPS-related MBS numbers 2721, 2723, 2725 and 2727.
Level 1 Mental Health Skills Training (MHST) is a prerequisite for enrolment in the FPS ST training package.
Dates: 13 November 2023 – 5 February 2024
Cost: RACGP members $1279 (inc GST)
Register online.
RACGP Queensland is also offering a number of limited places for Queensland GPs in Modified Monash Model 2–7 the opportunity to complete FPS ST at no cost, funded by the Northern Australia Primary Health Limited grant. Places are limited and expressions of interest to secure a fully funded placement can be
submitted online.
Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound
Date: Wednesday 22 November, 8.30 am – 4.30 pm
Location: Crowne Plaza Sydney Coogee Beach, 242 Arden Street
Cost: RACGP members $995 (incl GST)
This workshop is designed to support rural GPs who want to increase their understanding of the applications of point-of-care ultrasound in the diagnostic process.
The training is delivered by rural GPs, emergency physicians and sonographers who are experienced in using ultrasound in their practice environment.
The full-day workshop will give participants the opportunity to identify practical applications of ultrasound technology in general practice settings and gain hands-on experience in the use of point-of-care ultrasound devices under the guidance of experts.
The workshop is an RACGP CPD Accredited Activity, eligible for 10 hours (5 hours EA and 5 hours RP) and is eligible for the Rural Procedural Grants Program.
Register online.
Free COPD webinar
Webinar: Wednesday 15 November, 7.00 – 8.00 pm (AEDT)
CPD: 1 hour
Cost: Free
Keeping lungs healthy is an integral part of future health and it is now more important than ever to act sooner. There are many other factors besides tobacco smoking that can contribute to COPD and that can start early in life and effect young individuals.
In addition,
GOLD has identified precursor conditions that can provide new opportunities for early diagnosis and prompt treatment.
In 2023, World COPD Day (15 November) is aiming to highlight the importance of early lung health, early diagnosis and early interventions, via its theme of ‘Breathing is Life – Act Earlier’.
GPs are encouraged to attend this
free webinar, facilitated by the Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Respiratory Medicine, Dr Kerry Hancock, and presented in partnership with Boehringer, to help implement evidence-based assessment tools and treatment algorithms in clinical practice.
Register online.
Decision Support with DynaMed
Webinar: Monday 6 November, 12.00 – 12.30 pm (AEDT)
More information on how to use DynaMed to support decision making during consults is available in this session, presented by Rachele Low from EBSCO.
Register online.
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