Aged Care Program

AIMS

Sutherland Division of General Practice is working in partnerships with GPs, residential aged care facilities (RACFs) and other aged care services (Southcare) to collaborative on mutual issues of concern. The aims of the program are:

  • Improving access to appropriate medical care for RACF residents
  • Increasing participation of GPs in aged care initiatives that focus on improving quality of care
  • Divisions, GPs and RACFs working collaboratively to address aged care issues  

Aged Care Program 2009-2010

In the 2008-09 Federal Budget, the Government announced the redirection of funds from the Aged Care GP Panels Initiative to support primary care service provision in residential aged care facilities through the Aged Care Access Initiative. The aim of the Aged Care Access Initiative is to improve access to primary care (GP and allied health services) for residents of aged care facilities. The two components to this initiative are:

  1. Aged Care Access Initiative GP incentive component; and
  2. Aged Care Access Initiative allied health services component.

GP incentive component

  • All GPs in practices participating in the Practice Incentive Program (PIP) will be eligible for an incentive payment once they have provided a predetermined number of Medicare claimable services.
  • Funding will be available on a two tiered model and payments will be made automatically by Medicare Australia once predetermined Qualifying Service Levels have been reached,
  • Payment will be made to the GP who provided the service rather than the practice.
  • The program applies to services provided to residents in Commonwealth-funded Residential Aged Care Facilities.

What are the Qualifying Service Levels?
Tier one provides a payment of $1000 when the first qualifying service level of 60 services is claimed in 2009-2010.
Tier two provides a payment of $1500 when the second qualifying level of 140 services is claimed in 2009-2010. 

The maximum payment any one GP can receive in one financial year is $2500.

A service is those provided to aged care residents in Commonwealth funded aged care facilities and Multipurpose services. MBS items that count towards qualifying service levels include attendances in RACFs, Comprehensive Medical Assessments, contributions to care plans, case conferences and residential medication management reviews. 

Further enquiries about the GP incentive can be made to the PIP enquiry line on 1800 222 032.


Allied Health Services component

The Allied Health Initiative aims to deliver clinical services by allied health professionals within residential aged care facilities, where this is not funded by Medicare or other government funding sources. The initiative only applies to allied health professionals providing clinical services in Commonwealth funded residential aged care facilities (RACFs) and Multipurpose Services (MPS).

A comprehensive local needs assessment undertaken identified two gaps in service provision to RACFs:

  • Individual psychology services, and
  • Group gentle exercise/falls prevention classes

In response to the identified needs, there were a select number of facilities who expressed an interest in participating in this initiative. These facilities and the residents GPs will identify residents who will benefit from these services, and then GP referrals and medical clearances will be obtained.

Both the psychology and gentle exercise services have been contracted out to suitably qualified and registered allied health professionals. Services will be delivered on location at the aged care facility to low care residents.

If you would like more information on this initiative please contact the program officer, Laura Denegris.

RESOURCES

The resource centre provides aged care information on the current education opportunities available for GPs and RACFs, MBS items for RACF patients, enhanced primary care, medication management, transfer of medical care, hospital interface, Southcare directory and referral forms, Sutherland Shire Seniors Services Directory, advance care planning, dementia, palliative care, falls, clinical guidelines/best practice sites, office of the public guardian and surviving the maze (information for carers). To access the resource go to the Resource Centre.

For additional information about the Aged Care Program please contact our Program Officer at the Division.