14/07/2025
Dear Patients,
As of 1 July 2025, significant changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) have been introduced, impacting General Practice.
While the government has reduced payments for Care Plans and chosen not to increase MBS rebates for consultations (which could have helped reduce your out-of-pocket costs), they have made the Care Plan process more streamlined, particularly regarding referrals to Allied Health services.
You may already know that a Care Plan allows you to access up to 5 Medicare-subsidised visits per year to an Allied Health Professional (such as a physiotherapist, dietitian or podiatrist), provided you have a chronic condition (lasting 6 months or more).
To improve the quality and consistency of the documents we provide, we are now using advanced AI-supported tools to assist in creating your Care Plans.
Our goal is for Care Plans to be genuinely useful, not just a “tick-box” exercise. To issue valid referrals, we are also advised to conduct follow-ups every 3 months as part of government compliance.
We kindly ask for your cooperation in helping us ensure your medical records are accurate and up to date. This includes:
*Verifying your current medications (names, doses, and instructions)
*Reviewing your health summary for accuracy
We welcome any corrections or updates you notice.
This process is essential, and accuracy is critical — so we appreciate your patience and support as our nurses and doctors take the time needed to update your records properly.
Please note that all of this work is done in addition to diagnosing and treating your current health concerns. Unfortunately, despite the increased demands, the government has chosen to provide less funding, not more, to complete these tasks.
We thank you for your understanding and patience as we work together toward a more accurate and useful health record — to ensure you, your doctor, and any Allied Health professionals involved in your care can deliver the best possible support and outcomes.
