Subscribe to receive the Department of Health’s regular COVID-19 vaccines update.
RACGP advocacy
Commonwealth-declared COVID-19 hotspots end in NSW: RACGP advocating for telehealth solutions in a ‘living with COVID’ environment
The Chief Medical Officer, Prof Paul Kelly, has confirmed that the Commonwealth hotspot declaration in NSW ended at 11.59 pm on Sunday 17 October 2021.
Following strong advocacy from the RACGP, Commonwealth-declared hotspots in NSW were extended by an extra week, despite the end of lockdown.
We are continuing to strongly advocate for the continuation of hotspot-like arrangements for telehealth for affected communities and are working with government on a medium-term solution – particularly for communities with high COVID numbers – as we transition to living with COVID.
We are hopeful of an announcement later in the week regarding these medium-term arrangements. Patients in Commonwealth-declared hotspots in other states and territories currently have access to MBS rebates for longer MBS phone consultations and an exemption from the 12-month face-to-face rule.
Funding for care of COVID-positive patients in the community
As we move to a ‘living with COVID’ environment, GPs will be caring for COVID-positive patients in the community to help minimise pressure on the hospital system.
The RACGP knows that the funding models that support to GPs provide this in-home care are not adequate. In addition, when care is given as part of a hospital-in-the-home program, MBS item numbers are only applicable if not related to the COVID-19 diagnosis.
We are strongly advocating for funding models to support GPs caring for COVID patients at home and will not support a funding model that requires mandated bulk billing. Mandated bulk billing is not a solution to patient access. Instead, the Federal Government needs to consider additional funding for general practices to support community-based care, because patients who don’t require hospitalisation must have systems in place to support them at home.
We are also in the process of updating our community-based care resources for COVID-positive patients.
MBS funding for third vaccine doses
Earlier this month, the Federal Government announced that people who are severely immunocompromised should receive a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
MBS reimbursement applies to suitability assessments for third doses under the same rules as suitability assessments for second doses. The same second-dose MBS items are used, including when you perform a suitability assessment for a patient and determine they are not suitable for a third dose.
You can also claim flag fall and in-depth patient assessments if all other eligibility requirements are met (in-depth patient assessments can only be claimed once per patient). The additional Practice Incentives Program payment for administering COVID-19 vaccines is not claimable for a third dose. It remains payable only when the first and second doses are administered at the same general practice.
Find more information on MBS support for COVID-19 vaccines at MBS Online and on the RACGP website.
COVID-19 vaccination training program updates
The COVID-19 vaccination training program modules have been updated and now include the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation recommendations on a third primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine for individuals who are severely immunocompromised.
You can find a summary of updates in the Training Announcement Board in the 'Welcome' banner above the modules.
Remember, you can claim CPD activity points for reviewing the training program updates and completing additional training.
To claim these points:
- Click this Quick Log link.
- Log in to your account.
- Complete the form with your hours and activity details, click ‘submit’ and the points will be automatically recorded in your myCPD.
If you have any questions, email cpd.national@racgp.org.au
COVID-19 vaccine safety surveillance
You can find the latest COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report on the Therapeutic Goods Administration website.
It addresses reporting of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia, immune thrombocytopenia and Guillain-Barre Syndrome after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine, and myocarditis and pericarditis after receiving the Pfizer vaccine.
On-demand webinar: Strengthening the financial position of your practice amid the pandemic
Find out how the economics of running a practice have shifted during the pandemic. We examine the allocation of elevated technology budgets, the success of telehealth, and the operational and financial impact of the vaccination program. Importantly, we also hear from patients about their practice experience.
Watch the webinar