COALITION AND LABOR CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES
With a little over a week to go to the 2007 Election, both major parties have now officially launched their campaigns. The Coalition launch was highlighted by new spending commitments targeting first homebuyers and the costs of childcare and education. Other than some minor commitments to rural health, further health spending did not rate a mention. At the time of writing the Coalition’s public hospital policy was still under wraps.
The ALP at their official campaign launch this week highlighted previously announced hospital, cancer and dental policies. The ALP also promised computers for every student in Years 9-12, more Commonwealth Scholarships, Fellowships to retain our most talented researchers, increase in the number of skills training places and a clean energy plan for climate change.
In response AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said it was surprising that health was not prominent in either of this week’s major party campaign launches.
“Just ten days out from the election, it is amazing that neither the Coalition nor Labor has announced significant policies on aged care, Indigenous health, rural health, or public health programs,” Dr Capolingua said
The AMA will be issuing its Report Card on health policy next week.
SPEAKING THEIR LANGUAGE
GPs are reminded of the existence of the Doctor’s Priority Line that provides a fee-free service for eligible doctors and specialists to help them communicate with patients who do not speak English. Priority access to an interpreter can be obtained by calling 1300 131 450. For more details about the service and who is eligible to use it the following link is provided:
http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/help-with-english/help_with_translating/english-speakers/doctors-priority.htm
CHECKING WHO HAS A CARE PLAN
The AMA recently raised concerns with Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) that practitioners were unable to get real time advice on whether patients had had a previous care plan or health assessment provided to them by another practitioner.
DoHA has since advised that patients while at the practice can ring the Medicare Enquiry Line on 132 011, quote their Medicare number, and check if they have had a previous claim for an item in the range 721 to 731. Medicare Australia also provides a similar service directly to GPs though the Provider Enquiry Line on 132 150.
If a patient is unsure of whether they have had a care plan of health assessment, it makes good sense to contact these numbers to ensure that Medicare Australia do not reject a claim on the basis of a previous service.
CARE PLANS AND ALLIED HEALTH REFERRALS
GPs have been asking if they need to prepare a new care plan for a patient when the new calendar year begins, particularly with regard to providing further referrals for allied health services.
DoHA has advised that patients who are being managed by their GP under an EPC plan or a GP Mental Health Care Plan who need to access further services during 2008 do not need to have a new care plan prepared (unless required by the patient’s clinical condition, needs or circumstances).
Referrals for eligible allied health services remain valid for the stated number of services. Where these referred services are not used during the calendar year in which the patient is referred, the unused services may be used in the next calendar year but they will count towards the maximum number of services allowed in that year.
Where the GP considers that the patient requires additional allied health services a new referral may be provided for services up to the patient’s calendar year entitlement.
New referrals would normally be provided in a face-to-face consultation, either as part of a review or normal consultation. In some instances, the GP may provide a referral, without a consultation if they consider it appropriate. Either way, decisions regarding referral for further services should be documented in the patient’s record.
Information about these Medicare items is available in the MBS Book or at www.health.gov.au