Our Position
My Emergency Doctor, GP2U and Psych2U strongly urges the MRAC to reconsider this recommendation and preserve the arrangements that are currently in place for non-GP specialists.
Arrived at main content.
What are the MBS changes?
The MBS Review Advisory Committee (MRAC) proposes that:
“For initial consultations, make non-GP specialist MBS items available only face-to-face, with subsequent consultations available through telephone or video at the clinician’s discretion."
In short, initial specialist telehealth consultations will no longer be available as an MBS item.
Why is it important?
Recommendation 9 implies that all Australians will no longer have access to initial specialist telehealth consultations. We are concerned that this recommendation will significantly reduce equitable access to vital specialist care, particularly for those in our community living in regional and rural areas, First Nations people, and those living in residential aged care facilities. By significantly limiting access to telehealth, the recommendation does not fully acknowledge the diverse and disparate needs of the Australian population; shifting consumer preferences for health care; and the therapeutic and cost benefits of care delivered in this way.
Read Our Response Paper
For our full response to the MRAC recommendations, please read our response paper by clicking the link below.
How can you help?
We are seeking views from clinicians, peak bodies, consumers and other interested parties in relation to the Telehealth Post Implementation Draft Report. The deadline for public feedback submissions closes on 6 November 2023 at 11.59PM. We will be sharing our response to the MRAC recommendations on 6 November 2023.