The RACGP appreciates that members may be concerned about the changes outlined in this update, particularly the removal of exemptions under the established clinical relationship requirement for MBS telehealth services. Please note we are raising these concerns with the Minister for Health and Department of Health and Aged Care as a matter of priority.
The Department of Health and Aged Care has announced that from 1 July an indexation factor of 3.5% will be applied to most general medical services items, most diagnostic imaging services and most pathology items in Group P12. The impact on the GP standard consultation items is outlined below:
- MBS item 3, Level A consultation: $18.95 > $19.60
- MBS item 23, Level B consultation: $41.40 > $42.85
- MBS item 36, Level C consultation: $80.10 > $82.90
- MBS item 44, Level D consultation: $118.00 > $122.15
- MBS item 123, Level E consultation: $191.20 > $197.90
In addition to indexation, the Department has announced that blood-borne viruses and sexual or reproductive health service telehealth consultation items which are currently temporary will be made permanent. These items will continue to be exempt from the established clinical relationship requirements.
From 1 July 2024, MBS item 93716 to assess patient eligibility for COVID-19 antiviral medications will be removed.
The Department has also announced it will also be removing exemptions to the established clinical relationship requirement for the following services and categories:
- non-directive pregnancy counselling telehealth consultations (MBS items 92136 and 92138)
- people with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis (via PCR test or RAT) in the last seven days
- people seeking a request to a private pathologist for PCR testing in relation to COVID-19.
Exemptions to the established clinical relationship criteria for people isolating because of a COVID-related State or Territory public health order, or in COVID-19 quarantine because of a State or Territory public health order will remain.
Telehealth pregnancy support items can still be billed but the patient will need to have had at least one face-to-face attendance at the practice or with the provider delivering the service in the last 12 months. The Department has advised that items for blood borne viruses and sexual or reproductive health service telehealth consultations can be used instead of non-directive pregnancy counselling items where clinically relevant.
GP mental health telehealth items will continue with a permanent exemption to the established clinical relationship criteria.
For more information please see the July 2024 News page on MBS Online website.
The RACGP’s MBS online tool will be updated on 1 July to provide a full list of indexed MBS item benefits.