The New Fees...

Our new fees have been updated and implemented along with the new Medicare rebates (see below):

There are a few things to also note now that the rebates have increased regarding coming changes to Medicare:

• The updated incentive item (10990) will not come into effect until 1st Nov, 2023. This is the tripling of the incentive to $20.95 for eligible patients that are bulk billed, and applies only to basic attendance items (3, 23, 36 and 44 and their telehealth equivalents). It will NOT apply to either GPMP/TCA or MHCP items.
• On that subject, there seems to have been a rumour circulating that the GPMP/TCA items have been removed - this is NOT the case. GP management plans are in the process of review, with the future aim to streamline chronic disease management into the Federal Government's new 'MyMedicare' program. Regardless, the belief that these items are no longer billable is premature at this stage. As MyMedicare rolls out, more information will become available, but at this stage, there are no changes due in this calendar year.

Coming Events...

• Site Closures - 1st July to 25th July - due partly to school holidays and other leave, CSMP will only be running one site for the majority of dates through July!

Consent for Bulk-BIlled Telehealth (or how to close Pandora's box)...

While this has been a topic of discussion previously, the back/forth on the consent requirements for bulk-billed telehealth continue to be in flux. At publishing, there is currently NOT a Medicare requirement for written consent to be obtained before initiating bulk-billed telehealth, but still a requirement for verbal consent (using the autofill .tele adds this into the notes fastest).

Given the way that this policy has changed both frequently or without warning, we've thought it best to at least prepare for this, with the simplest method of obtaining consent through the use of SMS directly the patient, where their written response of 'Y' to the question of consent and assigning benefit would meet that criteria.

For a little more clarity, there are THREE different icons for telehealth programmed into BP (from top to bottom: Phone Call, Telehealth Phone, and Telehealth Video):

Phone Call: used for GP call backs for results, or other GP initiated contact. This label triggers the request for patients to respond with a Y or N to assign benefit to their GP and consent to a phone consult - given this, this label should only be used if you intend to bulk bill!

Telehealth Phone: for telehealth phone consults at patient request (either at booking or confirmation).

Telehealth Video: as above, but for video.

Billing Tips/Tricks...

With the new changes in billing practice with Mental Health Care Plans, the following is the suggested approach when billing tricky items:

• Hybrid Billings: when billing an MHCP item (2712, 2715/2717 or telehealth/EDP equivalent) and another attendance item (e.g. 23, 36, 44 or telehealth equivalents), it's recommended to private bill the MHCP item in order to clear it (or correct it) on the spot. Bulk-billing an MHCP item and private billing the attendance generally leads to medicare taking longer to process, meaning that patients may be out of pocket with their mental health provider while waiting for the MHCP to clear.
• Using the 'note to reception' box: if billing multiple items to multiple entities (i.e. bulk billing one item, private billing another, or if providing non-COVID or schedule vaccines), it's best to use the standard billing system for the priority item, and the 'note to reception' for the vaccines or secondary billing:

• Iron Infusions: when billing these, the item number IRON is intended only if a patient consent is obtained prior to their actual infusion appointment (where the nurse is the only provider involved 'on the day'). In all other circumstances, patients should be billed either a 3 or 23, and the billing type 'iron standard' or 'iron concession':

• Lastly, only MBS items need to be marked as unrelated - if billing a work cover item with an MBS one, there is no need for labelling!