PBS Scheduling Changes
From 1 May 2019, all standard dose Proton Pump Inhibitors will change from Restricted Benefit to Authority Required (Streamline). This will affect: Esomeprazole 20mg Lansoprazole 30mg Omeprazole 20mg Pantoprazole 20mg Rabeprazole 20mg Higher doses will require phone approval. This may take some learning – for example, esomeprazole 40mg tab is not authority approved for GORD
Changes to Practice Incentive Payments
The Practice Incentives Program (PIP) supports general practice activities that encourage continuing improvements, quality care, enhancing capacity and improving access and health outcomes for patients. The number and type of incentives available within PIP will change from 1 August 2019. Five of the existing incentives will cease and a new incentive, the PIP Quality Improvement
Are You Receiving Your Electronic Discharge Summaries?
More than 90 percent of discharge summary errors are due to out of date information. Follow this guide to ensure your details are current. Refer to your general practice software providers or IT providers to check your configuration. Ensure the practice NASH certificate is up to date. Ensure that you have the most up-to-date version
Local Practice Manager Wins Award
Picture courtesy of GP Synergy. L-R: Prof Lyn Fragar AO, Ms Tara Webster. Tara Webster of CHC Medical was named North Coast Practice Manager of the Year at GP Synergy’s Seasonal Celebration and Awards Night in Coffs Harbour during December 2018. Tara has ten year’s experience as a practice manager, including 18 months at CHC
Quality Improvement in General Practice
Tanya, the practice manager at Healthwise Medical Centre in Tweed Heads, is a keen user of the CAT4 data extraction tool. She uses it regularly to keep track of data quality and identify areas of improvement. At times this is an overwhelming task, and is much too big for one person – especially when a
Pen CS Webinars
Pen CS is now undertaking fortnightly themed webinars for all users. These sessions are a perfect opportunity to improve your CAT4 skills. Two themed webinars can already be viewed here: Recall CAT MBS Attendance Filter The next three upcoming webinars are as follows. Please note all attendees are required to register for the webinar. CAT
Hot Tip for the RACGP Standards 5th Edition
With all practice teams now required to undertake their accreditation against the RACGP Standards for general practices (5th edition), trends around common areas of non-compliance are being discovered. Although Criterion C7.1 – Content of patient health records contains six mandatory Indicators and one aspirational Indicator, only one is currently being identified as a common area
MBS Item Changes for GPs
MBS changes for GPs take effect from 1 November 2018. Spirometry Fees The existing MBS item no. 11506 for spirometry testing attracts an MBS fee of $20.55 for GPs and can be claimed as often as needed throughout the year. An additional item, no. 11505, is being introduced with a higher fee of $41.10. The
QPA Launches Connect Plus Self-Assessment and Accreditation Tool
Independent accreditation provider Quality Practice Accreditation (QPA) has launched an online self-assessment tool aimed at helping general practices and other healthcare providers understand the requirements of the RACGP standards for accreditation. Connect Plus can also be used by practice management consultants or accreditation managers from primary health networks as well as by specialist practices. It
RACGP Digital Business Kits
Are you making the most of technology in your practice? The RACGP Digital Business Kit provides a suite of resources and guidance to promote the adoption and meaningful use of technologies in general practice. The uptake of e-health technologies has the potential to improve the care of all Australians, particularly in aged care, chronic disease
RACGP Standards for General Practices Update
When the fifth edition of the RACGP Standards for general practices were launched in October 2017, many practices were surprised to see business planning was a new requirement. While it was a surprise for some, a general practice is a business like any other, and every business needs a plan. To support your practice team
