The Australian Government has announced significant changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule items for chronic disease management, with implementation now deferred until 1 July 2025. These changes represent the first major overhaul of the framework in almost two decades and aim to modernise and streamline chronic disease management in general practice. As GPs, we have a critical opportunity to prepare for these changes while continuing to deliver high-quality care to our patients with chronic conditions. This article outlines the upcoming changes and provides practical strategies for GPs to prepare their practices and enhance chronic disease management approaches. What's Changing in Chronic Disease Management? From 1 July 2025, several key changes will be implemented: Simplified Documentation : The current GP Management Plan (GPMP) and Team Care Arrangements (TCA) will be replaced with a single GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, reducing administrative complexity. MyMe...
Bulk billing incentives are an essential component of the Medicare Benefits Schedule, designed to encourage practitioners to bulk bill eligible patients. Understanding the interaction between consultation item numbers, MyMedicare enrolment, and available incentives is crucial for both practice management and patient care. This guide aims to help GPs and GP trainees understand how bulk billing incentives apply to different consultation types and how MyMedicare enrolment affects item eligibility. This guide will focus on services provided in Modified Monash 1 areas. Understanding Bulk Billing Incentives in MM1 Areas General Practitioners practicing in Modified Monash 1 (metropolitan) areas can access three different bulk billing incentives when bulk billing eligible patients: Item 10990 : Standard bulk billing incentive Item 75870 : Enhanced “triple” bulk billing incentive. Item 75880 : MyMedicare-specific bulk billing incentive (for enrolled patie...