RACGP pushes for antenatal care funding increase
https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/professional/racgp-pushes-for-antenatal-care-funding-increase
Despite the increased complexity of the care GPs are providing, they are only permitted to use the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items 16500 (face-to-face), 91853 (video) or 91858 (phone) for antenatal attendances, each of which carries a rebate of $41.70 – regardless of the duration and complexity of the consultation.
If action isn’t taken on the RACGP’s calls, Dr Burton fears the profession will face a deepening workforce crisis, leaving patients vulnerable.
To resolve the issue, the RACGP is recommending that MBS item descriptors for Level C and D time-based attendance items (36, 44, 91801, 91802, 92746, 91894) be amended ‘as a matter of priority’ to allow GPs to use them for antenatal attendances that extend beyond 20 minutes.