Bulletin - February, 2024
COMINGS and GOINGS...
We've had some staffing changes since our last bulletin:
- Sammy Lush (reception) finished up with us in January to take up a trainer role with SpecSavers NSW, supervising the training of their sales and managerial staff. While only with us briefly, Sammy brought an energy that was equal parts strength and resilience, managing to turn so many difficult problems in functional solutions for patients. She will hopefully bring that same level of enthusiasm and quick thinking to her new role, and we wish her all the best for wherever that may take her!
- We have also welcomed Camryn Lloyd and Caitlin Whitton to the admin team, joining us from the beginning of February on various days.
- We are also joined by Dr Kate Hill this month, too! In her 'own words':
"After growing up in rural WA, Kate completed her MBBS at the University of Western Australia, graduating in 2016. She has since worked in rural NSW, completing her GP training in the Shoalhaven, including an advanced skills year in community palliative care. More recently she has worked in the Central West, and has enjoyed adding some part time tutoring of student doctors to her routine. Kate enjoys providing holistic care to patients of all ages and backgrounds, and welcomes new patients."
Kate joins us on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
Medicare Changes...
"What Can I Bill?"
From November this year (2024), patients will need to be registered for MyMedicare at CSMP in order for them to have their chronic disease management administered here (i.e. billing for 721/723/732 and their telehealth equivalents). This will NOT apply to MHCP items as well as EDP. Visibility of a patient's MyMedicare registration status can be seen in BP (see last month's bulletin).
In the MBS quick reference guide (Teams -> General-> MBS Quick Reference), the grid is divided into general attendance items (3, 23, 36, etc.) and managment (care plan) items:
- GPMP/TCA (721/723) cannot be billed with general attendance items, but CAN be billed with other care plans or HA ones (i.e a 721/723 can be billed on the same day as 2715, and/or a 703 (health assessment).
- Likewise, a COVID assessment (93644) can also be billed at the same time as a 721/723.
- MHCP items (2712/2715) CAN be billed with other general attendance items, but must be labelled as 'unrelated'.
The exemption from the 12 month attendance rule for COVID positive patients changed from 1st Jan, 2024. The only exceptions now tothe 12 month rule are:
- Children under 12 months old
- ATSI patients
- Patients experiencing homelessness
- Patients attending for a mental health consult/plan
Practice Workflow Changes/Improvements...
Coding Changes: The appointment book in BP has undergone some minor changes:
- Procedure Days are now marked PURPLE
- Skin Clinics are marked in SAFFRON
- Telehealth Sessions are marked in TEAL.
In order to alter the default 'visit type' from surgery for telehealth video, the new telehealth icon is shown below:
BP Autofills: While not (strictly) new, the following are BP autofills to hopefully improve workflows:
- .CTG - Closing The Gap autofill (questions, registration requirements, etc.)
- .MYMEDICARE - registration requirements for patients for MyMedicare.
- .BBTELE - used for the rotary phone 'Phone Call' icon for results follow-up or calls to patient (NB: patients MUST respond to the SMS with a 'Y' to provide 'written consent' and assign benefit, otherwise billing does not meet Medicare requirements).
- .TIS - translator present (phone/in person)
- .STUDENT - consent requirements for the presence of a medical student during consult.
Coming Events...
Vaccine Fridges - we are currently down ONE vaccine fridge which is due to be removed and replaced within the week.
The previous quarantine on our vaccines has been lifted, however we still do NOT have additional stock of SHINGRIX for eligible patients, with no clear TBA.
Similarly, following our discussions with the PHU, patients booked for self-supplied vaccines should be encouraged to either store their vaccines (once purchased) on-site here, or wait until coming in for their appointment and collect their vaccines en route. There appears to be an increase in patients storing vaccines in domestic refrigerators, and has lead to an increase in both costs for patients, but also in reportable incidents for NSW Health.
Practice Lunch (Thurs, 15th Feb - 1-2:30pm) - this will be our first practice lunch for 2024! Bring a plate (with food) and enjoy the chance to catch up, debrief and commiserate with colleagues!
This lunch will also have a component discussing cultural awareness led by Drs Heather McKenzie and Rada Germanos (GPs may be able to claim this for CPD).
The Fax is DEAD...
In an attempt to move away from the 1980s an more reliable communications, we will no longer be supporting the faxing of documents as part of both an environmental initiative, as well as to improve the reliability of communications to other organisations and health facilities.
Our preference will be to email documents either straight from BP where possible, or to scan and send when required.
A reminder that when completing pathology requests or forms, adding the word 'telehealth' anywhere on the form will automatically generate an eOrder QR code and SMS that is then sent directly to the patient, where they can either access the code or the full form if the patient intends to use a service other than DHM.
