Commonwealth Coat of Arms

Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Amendment Regulation 2012 (No. 2)1

Select Legislative Instrument 2012 No. 139

I, QUENTIN BRYCE, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, make the following regulation under the Health Insurance Act 1973.

Dated 28 June 2012

QUENTIN BRYCE

Governor-General

By Her Excellency’s Command

TANYA PLIBERSEK

Minister for Health and

Contents

 1 Name of regulation

 2 Commencement

 3 Amendment of Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2011—Schedule 1

 4 Amendment of Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2011—Schedule 2

Schedule 1 Amendments taken to have commenced on 1 November 2011

Schedule 2 Amendments commencing on 1 July 2012

 

 

1 Name of regulation

  This regulation is the Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Amendment Regulation 2012 (No. 2).

2 Commencement

  This regulation commences, or is taken to have commenced, as follows:

 (a) 1 November 2011— sections 1 to 3 and Schedule 1; and

 (b) 1 July 2012—section 4 and Schedule 2.

3 Amendment of Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2011—Schedule 1

  Schedule 1 amends the Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2011.

4 Amendment of Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2011—Schedule 2

  Schedule 2 amends the Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2011.

Schedule 1 Amendments taken to have commenced on 1 November 2011

(section 3)

 

[1] Schedule 1, subclause 1.2.2 (2)

substitute

 (2) An attendance on a patient by a specialist or consultant physician:

 (a) includes an attendance on a patient if:

 (i) the patient declares that a written referral of the patient was completed by a medical practitioner; or

 (ii) in an emergency, the patient has not been referred to the specialist, or consultant physician, if the specialist or consultant physician decides that it is necessary in the patient’s interests to provide the service mentioned in the item as soon as practicable without a referral; but

 (b) does not include an attendance on a patient if:

 (i) the attendance forms part of a single course of treatment for the patient in which the first service was provided to the patient more than 12 months (or another period, if any, set by the referring practitioner in, or in connection with, the referral) before the attendance; and

 (ii) a later referral has not been made.

[2] Schedule 1, subclause 1.2.3 (2)

substitute

 (2) A professional attendance includes the provision, for a patient, of any of the following services:

 (a) evaluating the patient’s condition or conditions including, if applicable, evaluation using a health screening service mentioned in subsection 19 (5) of the Act;

 (b) formulating a plan for the management and, if applicable, for the treatment of the patient’s condition or conditions;

 (c) giving advice to the patient about the patient’s condition or conditions and, if applicable, about treatment;

 (d) if authorised by the patient — giving advice to another person, or other persons, about the patient’s condition or conditions and, if applicable, about treatment;

 (e) providing appropriate preventive health care;

 (f) recording the clinical details of the service or services provided to the patient.

[3] Schedule 1, subclause 2.3.1 (1)

omit

a medical practitioner (other than a vocationallyregistered general practitioner, a specialist to a consultant physician), if:

insert

a general practitioner, if:

[4] Schedule 1, clause 2.3.1, Group A2 table

substitute

Group A2 — Other nonreferred attendances to which no other item applies

Item

Description

Fee $

52

Professional attendance at consulting rooms of not more than 5 minutes in duration (other than a service to which any other item applies)—each attendance, by:

 (a) a medical practitioner (who is not a general practitioner); or

 (b) a general practitioner to whom clause 2.3.1 applies

11.00

53

Professional attendance at consulting rooms of more than 5 minutes in duration but not more than 25 minutes (other than a service to which any other item applies)—each attendance, by:

 (a) a medical practitioner (who is not a general practitioner); or

 (b) a general practitioner to whom clause 2.3.1 applies

21.00

54

Professional attendance at consulting rooms of more than 25 minutes in duration but not more than 45 minutes (other than a service to which any other item applies)—each attendance, by:

 (a) a medical practitioner (who is not a general practitioner); or

 (b) a general practitioner to whom clause 2.3.1 applies

38.00

57

Professional attendance at consulting rooms of more than 45 minutes in duration (other than a service to which any other item applies)—each attendance, by:

 (a) a medical practitioner (who is not a general practitioner); or

 (b) a general practitioner to whom clause 2.3.1 applies

61.00

58

Professional attendance (other than an attendance at consulting rooms or a residential aged care facility or a service to which any other item in the table applies), not more than 5 minutes in duration—an attendance on one or more patients at one place on one occasion—each patient, by:

 (a) a medical practitioner (who is not a general practitioner); or

 (b) a general practitioner to whom clause 2.3.1 applies

Amount under clause 2.1.1

59

Professional attendance (other than an attendance at consulting rooms or a residential aged care facility or a service to which any other item in the table applies) of more than 5 minutes in duration but not more than 25 minutes—an attendance on one or more patients at one place on one occasion—each patient, by:

 (a) a medical practitioner (who is not a general practitioner); or

 (b) a general practitioner to whom clause 2.3.1 applies

Amount under clause 2.1.1

60

Professional attendance (other than an attendance at consulting rooms or a residential aged care facility or a service to which any other item in the table applies) of more than 25 minutes in duration but not more than 45 minutes—an attendance on one or more patients at one place on one occasion—each patient, by:

 (a) a medical practitioner (who is not a general practitioner); or

 (b) a general practitioner to whom clause 2.3.1 applies

Amount under clause 2.1.1

65

Professional attendance (other than an attendance at consulting rooms or a residential aged care facility or a service to which any other item in the table applies) of more than 45 minutes in duration—an attendance on one or more patients at one place on one occasion—each patient, by:

 (a) a medical practitioner (who is not a general practitioner); or

 (b) a general practitioner to whom clause 2.3.1 applies

Amount under clause 2.1.1

92

Professional attendance (other than a service to which any other item applies) at a residential aged care facility (other than a professional attendance at a selfcontained unit) or professional attendance at consulting rooms situated within such a complex where the patient is accommodated in the residential aged care facility (that is not accommodation in a selfcontained unit) of not more than 5 minutes in duration—an attendance on one or more patients at one residential aged care facility on one occasion — each patient, by:

 (a) a medical practitioner (who is not a general practitioner); or

 (b) a general practitioner to whom clause 2.3.1 applies

Amount under clause 2.1.1

93

Professional attendance (other than a service to which any other item applies) at a residential aged care facility (other than a professional attendance at a selfcontained unit) or professional attendance at consulting rooms situated within such a complex where the patient is accommodated in the residential aged care facility (that is not accommodation in a selfcontained unit) of more than 5 minutes in duration but not more than 25 minutes—an attendance on one or more patients at one residential aged care facility on one occasion — each patient, by:

 (a) a medical practitioner (who is not a general practitioner); or

 (b) a general practitioner to whom clause 2.3.1 applies

Amount under clause 2.1.1

95

Professional attendance (other than a service to which any other item applies) at a residential aged care facility (other than a professional attendance at a selfcontained unit) or professional attendance at consulting rooms situated within such a complex where the patient is accommodated in the residential aged care facility (that is not accommodation in a selfcontained unit) of more than 25 minutes in duration but not more than 45 minutes—an attendance on one or more patients at one residential aged care facility on one occasion—each patient, by:

 (a) a medical practitioner (who is not a general practitioner); or

 (b) a general practitioner to whom clause 2.3.1 applies

Amount under clause 2.1.1

96

Professional attendance (other than a service to which any other item applies) at a residential aged care facility (other than a professional attendance at a selfcontained unit) or professional attendance at consulting rooms situated within such a complex where the patient is accommodated in the residential aged care facility (that is not accommodation in a selfcontained unit) of more than 45 minutes in duration—an attendance on one or more patients at one residential aged care facility on one occasion—each patient, by:

Amount under clause 2.1.1

 

 (a) a medical practitioner (who is not a general practitioner); or

 (b) a general practitioner to whom clause 2.3.1 applies

 

[5] Schedule 1, clause 2.17.11, Group A15 table

substitute

Group A15 — GP management plans, team care arrangements and multidisciplinary care plans and case conferences

Item

Description

Fee $

Subgroup 1 — GP management plans, team care arrangements and multidisciplinary care plans

721

Attendance by a medical practitioner (including a general practitioner, but not including a specialist or consultant physician), for preparation of a GP management plan for a patient (other than a service associated with a service to which any of items 735 to 758 apply)

138.75

723

Attendance by a medical practitioner (including a general practitioner, but not including a specialist or consultant physician), to coordinate the development of team care arrangements for a patient (other than a service associated with a service to which any of items 735 to 758 apply)

109.95

729

Contribution by a medical practitioner (including a general practitioner, but not including a specialist or consultant physician), to a multidisciplinary care plan prepared by another provider or a review of a multidisciplinary care plan prepared by another provider (other than a service associated with a service to which any of items 735 to 758 apply)

67.70

731

Contribution by a medical practitioner (including a general practitioner, but not including a specialist or consultant physician), to:

 (a) a multidisciplinary care plan for a patient in a residential aged care facility, prepared by that facility, or to a review of such a plan prepared by such a facility; or

67.70

 

 (b) a multidisciplinary care plan prepared for a patient by another provider before the patient is discharged from a hospital, or to a review of such a plan prepared by another provider

(other than a service associated with a service to which items 735 to 758 apply)

 

732

Attendance by a medical practitioner (including a general practitioner, but not including a specialist or consultant physician) to review or coordinate a review of:

 (a) a GP management plan prepared by a medical practitioner (or an associated medical practitioner) to which item 721 applies; or

 (b) team care arrangements which have been coordinated by the medical practitioner (or an associated medical practitioner) to which item 723 applies

69.35

[6] Schedule 1, clause 2.17.18, Group A15 table, items 735 to 758

substitute

735

Attendance by a medical practitioner (including a general practitioner, but not including a specialist or consultant physician), as a member of a multidisciplinary case conference team, to organise and coordinate:

 (a) a community case conference; or

 (b) a multidisciplinary case conference in a residential aged care facility; or

 (c) a multidisciplinary discharge case conference;

if the conference lasts for at least 15 minutes, but for less than 20 minutes (other than a service associated with a service to which items 721 to 732 apply)

67.95

739

Attendance by a medical practitioner (including a general practitioner, but not including a specialist or consultant physician), as a member of a multidisciplinary case conference team, to organise and coordinate:

 (a) a community case conference; or

 (b) a multidisciplinary case conference in a residential aged care facility; or

116.40

 

 (c) a multidisciplinary discharge case conference;

if the conference lasts for at least 20 minutes, but for less than 40 minutes (other than a service associated with a service to which items 721 to 732 apply)

 

743

Attendance by a medical practitioner (including a general practitioner, but not including a specialist or consultant physician), as a member of a multidisciplinary case conference team, to organise and coordinate:

 (a) a community case conference; or

 (b) a multidisciplinary case conference in a residential aged care facility; or

 (c) a multidisciplinary discharge case conference;

if the conference lasts for at least 40 minutes (other than a service associated with a service to which items 721 to 732 apply)

194.00

747

Attendance by a medical practitioner (including a general practitioner, but not including a specialist or consultant physician), as a member of a multidisciplinary case conference team, to participate in:

 (a) a community case conference; or

 (b) a multidisciplinary case conference in a residential aged care facility; or

 (c) a multidisciplinary discharge case conference;

if the conference lasts for at least 15 minutes, but for less than 20 minutes (other than a service associated with a service to which items 721 to 732 apply)

49.95

750

Attendance by a medical practitioner (including a general practitioner, but not including a specialist or consultant physician), as a member of a multidisciplinary case conference team, to participate in:

 (a) a community case conference; or

 (b) a multidisciplinary case conference in a residential aged care facility; or

 (c) a multidisciplinary discharge case conference;

if the conference lasts for at least 20 minutes, but for less than 40 minutes (other than a service associated with a service to which items 721 to 732 apply)

85.60

758

Attendance by a medical practitioner (including a general practitioner, but not including a specialist or consultant physician), as a member of a multidisciplinary case conference team, to participate in:

 (a) a community case conference; or

 (b) a multidisciplinary case conference in a residential aged care facility; or

 (c) a multidisciplinary discharge case conference;

if the conference lasts for at least 40 minutes (other than a service associated with a service to which items 721 to 732 apply)

142.60

[7] Schedule 1, clause 2.40.1

substitute

2.40.1 Definitions for item 16400

  In item 16400:

midwife means a person:

 (a) who is registered under a law of a State or Territory as a midwife; and

 (b) who is employed by, or whose services are otherwise retained by, a medical practitioner or a practice operated by a medical practitioner.

nurse means a person:

 (a) who is registered under a law of a State or Territory as a registered nurse or enrolled nurse; and

 (b) who is employed by, or whose services are otherwise retained by, a medical practitioner or a practice operated by a medical practitioner.

practice location has the same meaning as in clause 2.31.1.

[8] Schedule 1, paragraph 2.40.5 (1) (a)

omit

the nurse

insert

the midwife, nurse

Schedule 2 Amendments commencing on 1 July 2012

(section 4)

 

[1] Schedule 1, subclause 1.1.3 (2), examples

omit

 Aboriginal health care workers

insert

 Aboriginal health workers

[2] Schedule 1, Division 2.1, heading, note

omit

A25,

[3] Schedule 1, paragraph 2.16.4 (2) (b)

omit

a registered Aboriginal health worker

insert

an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner

[4] Schedule 1, subclause 2.16.4 (3)

omit

a registered Aboriginal health worker

insert

an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner

[5] Schedule 1, subclause 2.16.14 (4)

omit

registered Aboriginal health workers

insert

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners

[6] Schedule 1, subclause 2.20.6 (4)

omit

in the previous 12 months

[7] Schedule 1, Division 2.25

omit

[8] Schedule 1, Division 2.30, heading

substitute

Division 2.30 Group M12—Services provided by a practice nurse, an Aboriginal health worker or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner on behalf of a medical practitioner

[9] Schedule 1, paragraph 2.30.2 (2) (a)

omit

registered Aboriginal health worker

insert

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner

[10] Schedule 1, subclause 2.30.4 (1)

omit

a registered Aboriginal health worker

insert

an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner

[11] Schedule 1, paragraph 2.30.4 (1) (a)

omit

registered Aboriginal health worker

insert

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner

[12] Schedule 1, clause 2.30.5

omit

a registered Aboriginal health worker

insert

an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner

[13] Schedule 1, paragraphs 2.30.5 (a) to (c)

omit each mention of

health worker

insert

health practitioner

[14] Schedule 1, clause 2.30.5, Group M12 table

substitute

Group M12 — Services provided by a practice nurse, an Aboriginal health worker or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner on behalf of a medical practitioner

Item

Description

Fee $

Subgroup 1 — Video conferencing consultation support service provided by a practice nurse, an Aboriginal health worker or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner on behalf of a medical practitioner

10983

Attendance by a practice nurse, an Aboriginal health worker or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner on behalf of, and under the supervision of a medical practitioner, to provide clinical support to a patient who is:

 (a) participating in a video conferencing consultation; and

 (b) is not a care recipient in a residential care service; and

 (c) is not an admitted patient; and

 (d) is located either at an:

 (i) Aboriginal Medical Service; or

 (ii) Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service for which a direction made under subsection 19 (2) of the Act applies

31.80

Subgroup 2 — Video conferencing consultation support service provided at a residential care service, on behalf of a medical practitioner

10984

Attendance by a practice nurse, an Aboriginal health worker or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner on behalf of, and under the supervision of, a medical practitioner, to provide clinical support to a patient participating in a video conferencing consultation, who is a care recipient in a residential care service

The clinical support may be provided at consulting rooms in the residential care service if the patient is a care recipient in the residential care service

31.80

Subgroup 3 — Services provided by a practice nurse or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner on behalf of a medical practitioner

10986

A Healthy Kids Check in accordance with clause 2.16.4 provided by a practice nurse or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner for a patient who is receiving or has received the immunisation recommended for a 4 year old child if:

 (a) the Healthy Kids Check is provided on behalf of, and under the supervision of, a medical practitioner (including a general practitioner, but not including a specialist or consultant physician); and

 (b) the patient is not an inpatient of a hospital

57.10

10987

Followup service, to a maximum of 10 services per patient in a calendar year, provided by a practice nurse or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner, on behalf of a medical practitioner, for an Indigenous person who has received a health check if:

 (a) the service is provided on behalf of and under the supervision of a medical practitioner; and

 (b) the person is not an admitted patient of a hospital; and

 (c) the service is consistent with the needs identified through the health assessment

23.55

10988

Immunisation provided to a person by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner if:

 (a) the immunisation is provided on behalf of, and under the supervision of, a medical practitioner; and

 (b) the person is not an admitted patient of a hospital

11.80

10989

Treatment of a person’s wound (other than normal aftercare) provided by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner if:

 (a) the treatment is provided on behalf of, and under the supervision of, a medical practitioner; and

 (b) the person is not an admitted patient of a hospital

11.80

10997

Service provided by a practice nurse or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner to a person with a chronic disease, to a maximum of 5 services for each patient in a calendar year, if:

 (a) the service is provided on behalf of and under the supervision of a medical practitioner; and

11.80

 

 (b) the person is not an admitted patient of a hospital; and

 (c) the person has a GP management plan, team care arrangements or multidisciplinary care plan in place and the service is consistent with the plan or arrangements

 

[15] Schedule 1, clause 2.37.3

omit

In items 13200 to 13209 and 13215 to 13221:

insert

In items 13200 to 13209 and 13212 to 13221.

[16] Schedule 1, clause 2.37.9, Group T1 table, item 13318

omit

(via jugular or subclavian vein) —

[17] Schedule 1, clause 2.37.9, Group T1 table, item 13815

omit

(via jugular, subclavian or femoral vein)

[18] Schedule 1, subclause 2.40.5 (1)

omit each mention of

registered Aboriginal Health Worker

insert

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner

[19] Schedule 1, clause 2.40.6, Group T4 table, item 16400

omit

a registered Aboriginal Health Worker

insert

an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner

[20] Schedule 1, clause 2.43.9, Group T10 table, item 22020

omit

(via jugular, subclavian or femoral vein)

[21] Schedule 1, clause 2.44.17, Group T8 table, item 37219

substitute

37219

Prostate, needle biopsy of, using prostatic ultrasound techniques and obtaining one or more prostatic specimens, being a service associated with a service to which item 55600 or 55603 applies (Anaes.) (Assist.)

275.60

[22] Dictionary

insert

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner means a person:

 (a) who is registered under a law of a State or Territory as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner; and

 (b) who is employed by, or whose services are otherwise retained by, a medical practitioner in a general practice or a health service to which a direction made under subsection 19 (2) of the Act applies.

[23] Dictionary, definition of outer metropolitan specialist trainee

omit

[24] Dictionary, definition of registered Aboriginal Health Worker

omit

 

Note

1. All legislative instruments and compilations are registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments kept under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. See www.comlaw.gov.au.