The Consultation Briefing of the Review into General Practice Incentives was released this month recommending comprehensive reform to the funding of general practice. ACRRM will be providing a submission to the Review Expert Advisory Panel to inform their final advice that is to go to the Minister before the end of the year.
ACRRM recognises that the stakes are high for the future of rural services in ensuring the right policy levers are put in place. We are seeking your feedback and advice on the full scope of the proposals. Please email any comments you may have to policy@acrrm.org.au by Friday 23 August.
ACRRM has serious concerns regarding the impacts for rural health services of key proposals of the briefing paper, and is continuing to advocate on these.
The key aims of the proposed payments architecture appear to be:
- to transition general practice sector public funding from being 90% Fee for Service, to 60%
- to link general practice funding to team-based care, and
- to drive continuous improvement through practice quality data.
The key elements of the proposals include:
- A baseline practice payment linked to practice size and complexity and a rurality classification. Eligibility for this payment will be dependent upon delivery of team-based care, provision of practice data, and practice and patient engagement with My Medicare.
- Quality and Innovation Payments, Teaching Payments, and After-hours Payments (eligibility for these would require baseline payment eligibility).
- Current Workplace Incentive Payments (WIP) and Practice Incentive Payments (PIP) would be eventually replaced and in the short term all current WIP payments would be directed to practices rather than individual doctors.
- A Primary Care Pricing Authority to be established to include general practice and other professions involved in primary care
Please contact the ACRRM policy team if you have any questions at policy@acrrm.org.au.