To better support older people living in aged care to receive quality patient-centred care, the Government is introducing the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive. GPACI aims to move away from a volume-based approach to providing care, toward more regular, planned care. In comparison to the Aged Care Access Incentive (ACAI), GPACI providers may benefit from rural loadings and rebates from longer and more complex MBS items included in the GPACI servicing requirements. Providers may also be eligible to receive the triple bulk billing incentive introduced in November 2023. The triple bulk billing incentive is available for each bulk-billed visit to an aged care resident.
Department modelling indicates that – taking into consideration the new triple bulk billing incentive, increased MBS income from complex care MBS items under GPACI, rural loadings and the bulk billing incentive – the majority of providers will be the same or better off under GPACI compared to ACAI.
The department is in the process of finalising information on GPACI and will be publishing more information on the incentive payment and requirements in the coming weeks.