New payment levels under the GP ACAI
From 1 July 2010 there will be two new payment levels under the GP ACAI:
- the Tier one payment has been increased to $1500 when the first qualifying service level (QSL
1) of 60 eligible Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) services is provided in Residential Aged
Care Facilities in 2010-11
- the Tier two payment has been increased to $3500 when the second qualifying service level (QSL 2) of 140 MBS services in Residential Aged Care Facilities is provided in 2010-11.
The maximum payment a GP can receive in the 2010-11 financial year is $5000. Eligible MBS services provided in Residential Aged Care Facilities from 1 July 2010 will count
towards the QSLs for 2010-11. Medicare Australia will calculate payments at the new rate based on MBS claiming records from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011. Payments at the new incentive rates will be paid to eligible GPs from August 2010.
Only MBS services provided using a provider number linked to a PIP practice will be counted towards the QSLs for the GP ACAI.
From 1 May 2010 as part of streamlining the MBS, the Comprehensive Medical Assessment item (712) and the case conference items (734, 736, 738, 775, 778 and 779) have been replaced by new MBS items. The new items are not specific to residents of Residential Aged Care Facilities and will not count towards the QSLs for the GP ACAI. GPs must use one of the following eligible MBS item numbers: 20, 35, 43, 51, 92, 93, 95, 96, 731, 903, 5010, 5028, 5049, 5067, 5260, 5263, 5265, or 5267 from Group A1, A2, A15, A17, A22 or A23.
For more information about the PIP call 1800 222 032 or email pip@medicareaustralia.gov.au.