Practice Connect #255

New resources are now available on the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website to assist practices with managing the Medicare Assignment of Benefit (AoB) requirements.

Available resources:

• Update to Assignment of Medicare Benefit requirements – simplified FAQs
• Why we ask you to sign for bulk billing – DL patient brochure
• Update to Assignment of Medicare Benefit requirements – talking points for communicating with patients
• We need your agreement to bulk bill – clinic poster
• Why you will be asked to sign for bulk billing – patient fact sheet
• We need your agreement to bulk bill – reception desk sign
• Update to Assignment of Medicare Benefit requirements – fact sheet for practices
• Updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Assignment of Medicare Benefit for Bulk Billing – FAQs

For enquiries about Assignment of Benefit, contact AssignmentofBenefit@health.gov.au

For help finding information, improving workflows or communicating with patients, contact Practice Assist or your Primary Care Navigator on 08 6278 7900 or at practiceassist@wapha.org.au

Download the latest Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS) Quick Guide and MBS Telehealth Quick Guide to stay up to date with changes relevant to your practice.

The MBS Quick Guide covers key general practice items, condensed into a handy printout.

For more information and future updates, visit the MBS Online News webpage.

For support with MBS changes, contact the Practice Assist Help Desk on 08 6278 7900 or via email at practiceassist@wapha.org.au

The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA) has released a fact sheet clarifying how Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP) payments can be managed by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and Aboriginal Medical Services (AMSs).

Under BBPIP, participating practices receive an incentive payment equal to 12.5% of eligible bulk-billed Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS) services. Although payments are calculated using the standard 50/50 split between the practice and GP, the Managing BBPIP payments in ACCHOs and AMSs fact sheet confirms that in ACCHO and AMS employment models, the GP portion may be directed to the service’s bank account where this aligns with employment and contractual arrangements.

The guidance highlights the importance of documenting agreed payment arrangements, ensuring the correct banking details are recorded in Health Professional Online Services and understanding that the nominated account applies to all MyMedicare incentive payments at that provider location.

The fact sheet also outlines how BBPIP funding can support community-controlled care, including GP salaries, multidisciplinary team-based care, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, staff training and digital health infrastructure.

ACCHOs and AMSs participating in BBPIP are encouraged to review current banking arrangements and provider links to ensure payments are received and managed appropriately.

For further information, refer to the DHDA Managing BBPIP payments in ACCHOs and AMSs fact sheet.

For support with BBPIP, contact Practice Assist on 08 6278 7900 or email practiceassist@wapha.org.au

The Australian Government Department of Disability and Ageing ‘MyMedicare Minute’ series provides bite-sized information to help general practice staff build their understanding of key MyMedicare updates.

How to ask for a Review of Decision (RoD) – MyMedicare Minute Week 14

Practices and providers who are not satisfied with an outcome under MyMedicare, including the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI) and Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP), are reminded that a formal Review of Decision is available as a final review pathway after initial enquiries and escalations have been considered. Clear documentation and records can help support any review request if one is required.

Read the MyMedicare Minute edition.

You may notice a refreshed look in the Practice Connect newsletter and on the Practice Assist website.

This update is intended to make these channels easier to recognise and more consistent with WA Primary Health Alliance’s other communications. It does not affect the information, resources or support provided through Practice Assist.

Practice Connect and Practice Assist will continue to provide Western Australian general practices with practical information, updates, resources and support to help navigate the evolving primary care landscape.

For further support, contact Practice Assist on 08 6278 7900 or email practiceassist@wapha.org.au

The 2026 APNA Workforce Survey is your chance to help shape the future of primary health care nursing.

In just 15 minutes, share your experiences, contribute to a stronger understanding of the workforce and support APNA’s advocacy for the profession.

The survey is open to nurses, midwives and nurse practitioners across all primary health care settings. You do not need to be an APNA member to participate.

Complete the survey by 18 October for your chance to win prizes valued at up to $2,500.

Start the survey here.

The newly released Endometriosis Management Plan (EMP) is a structured tool for general practice to support patients with suspected or confirmed endometriosis or chronic pelvic pain.

Funded through the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s National Endometriosis Action Plan, the EMP was developed by Monash University’s SPHERE Centre of Research Excellence in partnership with the RACGP.

Incorporating key recommendations from the Australian Living Evidence Guideline: Endometriosis, the EMP supports individualised treatment planning and coordination with other care providers.

The tool also supports structured documentation and shared decision-making, including the development of a chronic condition management plan where multidisciplinary care is required.

Access the plan, GP learning module and on-demand webinars via the RACGP website.

From 31 October 2026, both the MindSpot GP referral pathway and the linked ORS face-to-face psychological therapies service will close to new referrals. The ORS face-to-face psychological therapies service will close by 31 March 2027, following a planned transition that supports people already receiving care to complete their current course of therapy.

MindSpot itself is not closing. It will continue to provide free online assessment and therapist-assisted treatment for adults experiencing anxiety, depression, stress and related conditions. People who may benefit from online mental health assessment and therapist-assisted treatment can access MindSpot directly, without a GP referral.

People who need help finding the right type of support, or who may need in-person, local or more complex care, can be supported through Medicare Mental Health services or other pathways.

Unsure of the most appropriate referral pathway? The Medicare Mental Health Stepped Care Continuum provides recommended government funded referral points based on the assessed level of need. For further guidance, call the Medicare Mental Health phone line on 1800 595 212.

GPs, practice teams and other referrers are encouraged to note the final referral date, brief relevant staff, review referral workflows and begin conversations with affected patients early where needed. Clear and consistent communication will help support a smooth transition and maintain continuity of care.

Clinician Assist WA is a secure website and clinical support tool that helps GPs and health professionals providing care to patients in WA confidently assess, manage and, when required, refer patients at no cost. Its clinical content, developed by local GPs in collaboration with specialists and subject matter experts across the WA health care sector, provides clear, locally accepted guidance designed specifically for WA. This supports clinicians to deliver the right care, at the right time, in the right place.

While developed for GPs, Clinician Assist WA is available to a range of health professionals delivering care to patients with presentations commonly managed in general practice, including the assessment, management and ongoing support of older adults. The website provides access to a range of clinical and referral pathways related to older adults’ health.

Older adults’ health topics include:

• Cognitive impairment and dementia
• Falls prevention
• Frailty
• Medication management and polypharmacy
• Older adult abuse and neglect
• Acute deterioration
• Nutrition and weight management
• Advance Care Planning (ACP)
• My Aged Care assessment and guidance
• Older adults’ health and mental health referral pathways
• Allied health services

Visit the Clinician Assist WA website to explore these topics and access a wide range of additional clinical and referral pathways that support the ongoing care of older adults.

Advance Care Planning (ACP) helps people document their values, wishes and preferences for future health care.

ACP and dementia: why early conversations matter

For people with dementia, ACP conversations should begin soon after diagnosis, while they can still make and communicate decisions.

An Advance Health Directive (AHD) and/or Enduring Power of Guardianship (EPG) can record treatment preferences and identify a trusted decision-maker before capacity declines.

If capacity has already declined, a Values and Preferences statement can help guide care decisions.

Actions for general practice

• Start ACP conversations early after a dementia diagnosis
• Use the Primary Sense Dementia (Audit 9) Clinical Audit to identify patients and prioritise ACP conversations
• Support patients to document their treatment and palliative care preferences, including their preferred place of care
• Upload completed ACP documents to My Health Record, with patient consent

ACP resources

• Practice Assist: ACP Toolkit
• Advance Care Planning Australia (ACPA): Fact sheet for individuals with dementia
• The Advance Project: Quick guide to introducing ACP — own or supported approach
• ACPA and Dementia Australia: Joint position statement

To learn more about advance care planning, contact Practice Assist on 08 6278 7900 or email practiceassist@wapha.org.au to connect with the Greater Choices for At Home Palliative Care team.

The implementation deadline for Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs) to adopt Electronic National Residential Medication Chart (eNRMC) systems that conform to electronic prescribing requirements has been extended by three months, from 31 December 2026 to 31 March 2027.

This extension will support the safe and effective transition of residents’ medication charts and allow services to continue operating under the Transitional Arrangement until 31 March 2027.

A supporting fact sheet is available and outlines the revised transition timeframe and key actions for residential aged care providers as they work with software vendors, prescribers and pharmacies to prepare for the transition.

Read the full announcement here.

The General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI) supports eligible general practices and GPs to deliver regular visits and care planning for older people living in residential aged care homes.

WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) is seeking expressions of interest from general practitioners and practices interested in supporting RACHs.

If your practice already provides aged care services or would like to explore opportunities in this sector, we would like to hear from you.

WAPHA may be able to facilitate introductions between interested practices and local aged care homes seeking GP support.

To express your interest or find out more, please contact aged.care@wapha.org.au

Diabetes WA Connect brings specialist advice to general practice. Funded by WA Primary Health Alliance and the WA State Government, the service began in regional WA in late 2024 and is now available statewide. GPs can speak with a Diabetes WA endocrinologist by phone or book a multidisciplinary case conference with a diabetes educator and Aboriginal health practitioner.

“If GPs have any dilemmas, we can solve quite a few of them with a phone call,” says Diabetes WA endocrinologist Dr Greg Ong.

The GP remains at the centre of the patient’s care, with the service providing another avenue for timely specialist advice.

Augusta GP Louise Marsh says the service can save older patients from a long journey to Perth.

“Sometimes you just want to get someone on the right track or double-check what you’re doing immediately, rather than sending the patient to the city,” she says.

Find out more by calling (08) 9436 6270 or visiting the Diabetes WA website.

Dr Greg Ong, Diabetes WA endocrinologist