Upcoming changes to chronic disease management items

Update: The Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) has advised that the planned changes to the MBS items have been postponed until 1 July 2025. Originally scheduled to commence on November 1 2024, the additional time will support practices and providers, including GPs and allied health providers, to be ready for the changes to these important services. Information about the changes to the chronic disease management framework and the amended timeframe can be found on DoHAC’s website.
 
As a result of this decision, the webinar will be postponed. We will reschedule this event next year in advance of the new implementation date for the changes.

RACGP are holding a webinar in October about the upcoming changes to chronic disease management items. This webinar will be very timely ahead of the changes commencing (pending passage of legislation) from 1 November. All General Practices, GPs, Practice Managers and other Practice staff are encouraged to attend.

A revised framework for chronic disease management will commence on 1 November 2024. These changes, which were announced in the 2023-24 Budget, reflect the recommendation of the MBS Review Taskforce.

Key changes include:

• Replacing GP Management Plans and Team Care Arrangements with a single GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
• Removal of the requirement to consult with at least two collaborating providers, as described under the current Team Care Arrangement.
• Providing for practice nurses, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners and Aboriginal heath workers to assist with the preparation and review of plans.
• Supporting continuity of care by requiring patients registered through MyMedicare to access plans and reviews through the practice where they are registered.
• Equalising the fees for development and review of a plan to support ongoing reviews.
• Moving to referral letters for referrals to allied health services.
• A two year transition period for existing patients with a GP Management Plan and/or Team Care Arrangement.

Learning outcomes:

• Utilise referral letters to provide relevant clinical information to allied health professionals.
• Identify new MBS item numbers for chronic condition management and when to bill these.
• Implement arrangements for other healthcare professionals to assist with the preparation and review of GP chronic condition management plans.

Speakers:

• Imogen Colton – Director of the General Practice Section in the MBS Policy and Review Branch at the Department of Health and Aged Care
• Louise Riley – Assistant Secretary of the MBS Policy and Review Branch of the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care