Our submission to the review of MBS Health Assessment items highlights the importance of simplicity to help patients and practitioners navigate complex health problems.
Supported by input from our clinicians, strongly recommended that health assessment items remain general in application and support longer consultations.
We support current time-tiered arrangements for health assessment items and the frequency of their application. Protected, extended consultation times support comprehensive health reviews with vulnerable patients – those likely to possess the most complex of health concerns.
With a health system facing an increased burden of chronic disease, Medicare must support GPs and their teams to spend the time required with patients to provide the holistic and comprehensive care these items intend.
Our submission also cautions the government about the demanding schedule of MBS reforms with regard to general practice alone. Key reforms like the streamlining of chronic disease management items, and the broad review of workforce incentives and scope of practice, require sufficient time to engage clinician and stakeholder views and observe impacts to medical practice.
We will remain actively involved in the review process with a view to streamlining health assessments to promote patient access.
