AMA works to improve GP referrals to My Aged Care
The AMA is continuing to push for improvements to the referral process through the My Aged Care gateway and met with Department of Health representatives last week to discuss this. In particular, the AMA stressed that the referral form needs to be integrated into practice software in order to streamline the process.
The DoH has advised that it is considering this as a priority for future My Aged Care enhancements. In the meantime the Department has developed, in consultation with the AMA and other stakeholders, a new online referral form and referral fact sheet. Existing referral options are also still available.
According to the DoH, the benefits of the new webform include:
- The capture of more detailed information, including client function;
- A confirmation of successful transmission, including confirmation via email if provided;
- Provision of a unique identifier to facilitate follow up;
- The ability to save and print the referral as a PDF;
- Streamlined processing of a completed health professional referral.
The webform can be accessed via the ‘Contact Us’ page on the My Aged Care website or via MyAgedCare.gov.au/referral. A YouTube video explaining the new health professional webform is also available.
GPs can still use existing referral options to my Aged Care which include calling the contact centre on 1800 200 422 or faxing their patient’s details (name, contact details, reason for the patient being referred to My Aged Care, record of patient’s consent for the referral) to 1800 728 174.
Where patients need urgent access to Commonwealth Home Support Programme services practitioners can refer directly to a service provider. These arrangements are set out in an updated fact sheet on referring patients to aged care services.
