Financial support for practices during COVID-19

Readers are reminded that on 20 April 2020 two new MBS items were introduced providing a bulk billing incentive for vulnerable patients: 

• Item 10981 mirrors the current item 10990 (metropolitan) 
• Item 10982 mirrors the current item 10991 (regional) 

These items can be used for both services that are provided in rooms as well as telehealth/telephone services. 

Patients vulnerable to COVID-19 by the Department of Health definition include a person who: 

• is required to self-isolate or self-quarantine in accordance with guidance issued by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee in relation to COVID-19; or 
• is at least 70 years old; or 
• if the person identifies as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent—is at least 50 years old; or 
• is pregnant; or 
• is the parent of a child aged under 12 months; or 
• is being treated for a chronic health condition; or 
• is immune compromised; or 
• meets the current national triage protocol criteria for suspected COVID-19 infection. 

Existing bulk billing incentive items for concession card holders and children under 16 years of age remain in place. 

For more information, see the Department of Health’s COVID-19 Temporary MBS telehealth Services factsheets here.