Aged Care GP Initiative

Overview of the Program

The aim of the Aged Care GP Panels Initiative is to improve access to primary medical care for residents of aged care homes and to enable GPs to work with aged care homes to assist with quality improvement strategies for the care of all residents.

The objectives of Aged Care GP Panels Initiative are:

• Improved access to appropriate medical care for all aged care residents
• Increased participation of GPs in aged care initiatives aimed at improving quality of care
• GPs and Divisions working more effectively with aged care homes

Panel Information

A panel of 8 GPs has been established, who have agreed to undertake priority activities that have been locally determined by the Division in partnership with aged care homes and GPs. The work of GPs participating in the Panel arrangement should complement and build on successful activities already being undertaken in aged care homes in the Division or assist with the development of new activities. Representatives from the aged care sector also participate on the panel.

GPs who participate in the Panel arrangements can receive funding in addition to accessing relevant Medicare items for any services provided directly to residents.

Further information will be available to GPs as the Initiative progresses.

Divisional Model

The GP Facility Advisor Model

In this model, the individual GP member of the Aged Care GP Panel is assigned to an aged care facility to provide advice and services (including medical services to residents who do not have a usual GP), as agreed between the GP and the aged care facility. In this model, a patient's usual GP would continue to provide care to them where possible, to ensure choice of GP is available to all residents of the aged care facility. In this divisional model, the individual GP member could participate in the aged care homes quality improvement activities, medication advisory committees or attend other meetings or provide other advice as required and agreed. This model remunerates the Aged Care GP Panel member through a retainer payment or hourly rate for the advice and services.

The remuneration is not for the direct provision of the clinical service as this is claimable through the MBS as per the GPs usual arrangements.

Comprehensive Medical Assessments (CMA's)

The Comprehensive Medical Assessment (CMA) Medicare item is being implemented in conjunction with the Initiative to assist in achieving better access and quality of care for residents of aged care homes. The item enables medical practitioners to undertake CMAs of new and existing residents (if required) of aged care homes. It is available to all GPs (not just Panel GPs)

The new item, numbered 712, provides a Medicare rebate for a full systems review; including an assessment of the resident's health and physical and psychological function (the CMS does not require an assessment of the resident's social function). It involves a GP taking a detailed relevant medical history, conducting a comprehensive medical examination, developing a list of diagnoses or problems, and providing a written summary of the outcomes of the CMA for the resident's records.

CMAs are available to permanent residents of aged care homes, receiving either high or low care. There is no age limit for a resident to be eligible for a CMA.

Copies of the CMA should be offered to the patient, given to the Residential Aged Care Facility, and kept in the patient's medical records.

The Medicare rebate for a CMA is $187.65, with a maximum of one payment per resident in any 12 month period

Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR)

Residential Medication Management Reviews (MBS Item-903) became available on 1 November 2004. This item enables GPs to work in collaboration with Pharmacists to review the medication management needs of new and existing residents of aged care homes.

It is for residents for whom quality use of medicines may be an issue, or who are at risk of medication misadventure because of a significant change in their condition or medication regime.

The Medicare rebate for an RMMR is $91.85, with a maximum of one payment per resident in any 12 month period.

Resources

Medicare Services available for residents of Aged Care Facilities

Comprehensive Medical Assessments

• Fact sheets on CMAs
• CMA Checklist
• CMA Service Description Flowchart
• CMA Sample Report
• Steps for the GP
• How can Aged Care Facilities help?
• Consent letter for Aged Care Residents

To import the below template into Medical Director simply download to the desktop then open medical Director Medical Director Letter writer and select the import option from the File Menu then save the document as a template.

• Medical Director - Comprehensive Medical Review - Report
• Medical Director - Comprehensive Medical Review Patient Consent Form

Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR)

• RMMR Information for GPs
• RMMR for Aged Care Homes
• RMMR Q amd A's

To import the below template into Medical Director simply download to the desktop then open medical Director Medical Director Letter writer and select the import option from the File Menu then save the document as a template.

• Medical Director - Residential Medication Management Review - Referral to Pharmacist
• Medical Director - Residential Medication Management Review Patient Consent Form

Tools for Aged Care Facilities

• GP Phone Checklist

For additional information contact Project Officer Bruce Bates on (07) 4042 7333 or email at bbates@fnqrdgp.org.au.