MBS bulk billing incentives: Am I billing correctly?
On-demand recorded 24 Apr 2024
On 1 November 2023, tripled Medicare bulk billing incentive (BBI) payments were introduced for selected patients and services provided in general practice. There are now 20 MBS incentive items available for bulk billed GP services, with separate item numbers for single incentive payments (pre-existing items), tripled incentives for all eligible patients, and tripled incentives for services linked to MyMedicare. There are also different item numbers and payments based on geographical region under the Modified Monash Model (MMM).
The RACGP recently developed its own fact sheet to help members understand the new BBI item structure and the tie-in with MyMedicare. To complement this, we are hosting a webinar presented by the Department of Health and Aged Care to further explain the items and provide case studies/examples outlining which item number to bill and when. The webinar will cover:
- General eligibility for BBIs and monitoring this for patients
- Standard BBIs (pre-existing items)
- Tripled BBI item numbers by level of remoteness and eligible services
- Eligibility scenarios for the new tripled BBIs
- Where to find further information.
If you have a question about bulk billing that you would like DoHAC to answer during the webinar, please email it to healthreform@racgp.org.au.
Learning outcomes
- Outline the eligibility criteria for bulk billing incentives (patients and services).
- Choose the correct MBS bulk billing incentive item to bill in different situations.
- Identify resources to support correct claiming of bulk billing incentives.
Facilitator
Dr Michael Wright
Chair, RACGP Expert Committee, Funding and Health System Reform
Michael is a Sydney-based GP and Avant’s Chief Medical Officer. His career includes general practice work in both urban and remote settings and across culturally diverse populations. He has been a practice owner, and a salaried and contractor GP.
Michael is also an experienced researcher with a PhD in health economics, and he is a strong advocate for improving Australia’s health system.
Presenters
Imogen Colton
Director of the General Practice Section in the MBS Policy and Review Branch at the Department of Health and Aged Care
Imogen has been in this role for over two years and has previously worked in policy and program roles in a number of Australian Government departments. Her team is responsible for a range of MBS items for general practice, including bulk billing incentives, attendance items, chronic disease management items and health assessments. Imogen has a Bachelor of Science (Hons) and a PhD from the University of Melbourne.
Louise Riley
Assistant Secretary of the MBS Policy and Review Branch of the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Louise has over 25 years’ experience working for the Australian Government on a wide range of complex health policy issues and programs, including MBS policy and reform, population health, aged care, mental health, primary care and health financing, and on a number of cross portfolio issues including the NDIS. Currently, she is leading teams responsible for MBS policy on telehealth, general practice, primary care and some specialist services, and she is also responsible for the Continuous Review of the MBS and supporting the work of the MBS Review Advisory Committee. Louise has a Master of Public Health from the University of Queensland and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the Australian National University.