Practice Connect #256

From 1 November 2026, several changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) will take effect. The updates include new telephone items for GP chronic condition management plans, the Medicare Healthy Kids Check for three-year-olds, medication review access, revised telehealth requirements and several administrative updates.

Thriving Kids Initiative 

As part of the Government’s Thriving Kids Initiative, the Medicare Healthy Kids Check will be introduced for children aged three years. Recommended by the Thriving Kids Advisory Group, the check aims to support the early identification of developmental delay and neurodevelopmental differences to connect children and families with appropriate supports or referrals where needed.

The check does not have a new MBS item number and can be billed once per child using existing time-tiered health assessment items 701 to 707 for general practitioners or 224 to 227 for prescribed medical practitioners.

Further information is available at MBS Online – Medicare Healthy Kids Check.

Transition to GP chronic condition management plans

The transition period for legacy GP Management Plans (GPMPs) and Team Care Arrangements (TCAs) will end on 30 June 2027, after which a new GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP) will be required for continued access to allied health and domiciliary medication management review services.

Other key changes to general medical services

• Four new telephone attendance items will allow general practitioners and prescribed medical practitioners to prepare or review a GP chronic condition management plan by telephone. Items 92033 and 92034 apply to general practitioners, while items 92063 and 92064 apply to prescribed medical practitioners
• Participating nurse practitioners will be able to refer patients for bone mineral densitometry services described in items 12306 to 12322
• Telephone-based preparation and review of GP chronic condition management plans will count towards existing timing requirements. Preparation services are generally limited to once every 12 months and review services once every three months, unless exceptional circumstances apply
• Modified Monash (MM) location classifications will now be applied to align with the 2023 categories. Practices should check whether their revised classification affects the bulk billing incentive items they claim
• The term “residential care home” will replace “residential aged care facility” across relevant MBS tables and determinations, with no changes to fees
• Nurse practitioner telehealth items will align with standard telehealth eligibility requirements, including the 12-month rule unless an exemption applies

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

MBS Quick Guides

Download the latest 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 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 Disability and Ageing “MyMedicare Minute” series provides bite-sized information to help general practice staff build their understanding of key MyMedicare updates.

Nominate your bank account to receive MyMedicare incentives

If you’re a provider or practice registered for MyMedicare, you need to keep your bank details updated to get your incentives.

Read the MyMedicare Minute edition for more details.

Marina Johns, Regional Integration Manager South West and Natacha Smit, Primary Care Navigator South West, WA Primary Health Alliance (WA)

WA Primary Health Alliance recently brought together practice managers, practice nurses and other general practice staff for two South West Practice Manager and Practice Nurse Forums, held in Bunbury on 23 September and Busselton on 24 September.

The forums provided an opportunity for local practice teams to connect, network and hear about practical updates and resources relevant to primary care. The program covered practice support topics including MyMedicare, Assignment of Benefits, accreditation change to RACGP 6^th Standards, Better Access mental health changes, Healthy Kids Checks, upcoming WAPHA events and training and Clinician Assist.

Participants also heard from Rural Health West and the Rural Clinical School of WA about the South West Health Professionals Network and training hubs. Local commissioned services were showcased by South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS) and Oseca Health, covering a range of mental health, aftercare and chronic disease services available across the region.

The forums attracted staff from practices across Bunbury and surrounding communities, as well as Busselton, Dunsborough and Margaret River, providing a valuable opportunity to strengthen connections across the South West primary care community.

A big thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the conversations, and to our presenters for sharing their knowledge and resources.

For information about upcoming events, visit the Practice Assist events page.

Ahead of World Menopause Day on 18 October, information and resources are available to help health professionals support patients experiencing perimenopause and menopause.

Health professionals play an important role in supporting patients through this stage of life.

Available resources include:

• A poster to encourage patients to discuss potential symptoms during consultations
• A brochure on common symptoms, management and support options
• A symptom checklist patients can bring to appointments
• An infographic showing common symptoms and experiences

Access resources for your patients and learn more about the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s National Menopause and Perimenopause Awareness Campaign.

A range of free training and resources are available for health professionals to help build confidence and knowledge in patient-centred menopause care, including:

• Jean Hailes for Women’s Health Menopause Education Program
• Webinars covering menopause basics, mental health and menopause, and musculoskeletal conditions
• Information sheets and evidence-based  modules available through the Australian Menopause Society
• The Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) Alliance resources, including a clinical guide and decision aid

Work is also underway on Australia’s first perimenopause and menopause guidelines. They are being developed with health organisations to provide evidence-based advice for health professionals and patients.

Keep up to date with the development of the clinical guidelines.

The InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders has worked with lived experience consultants and the InsideOut GP Hub team to develop new waiting room resources for general practices.

The resources are designed to help practices create a more supportive environment for people experiencing eating disorders, improve staff knowledge and connect patients and carers with evidence-based support.

For further information, refer to the waiting room resources on the InsideOut website.

To support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with accessing culturally safe health care, the Partnership for Justice in Health has developed the following primary care cultural safety resources:

• Client-facing poster (Culturally safe care is a right, not a privilege), which highlights the health rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients
• Staff-facing poster (Cultural safety, it involves all of us), which promotes organisational responsibility, reflective practice and systemic safety
• Cultural safety poster pack brief, which outlines practical placement recommendations and guidance for driving cultural safety conversations in clinical settings

Visit the Partnership for Justice in Health website to download the free resources.

Information about motor neurone disease (MND) for health care professionals and service providers is available on the MND Australia website.

The information includes an overview of MND, the different types, diagnosis and symptom management, with an emphasis on a coordinated, multidisciplinary team approach to care.

To find out more, visit the health care professionals section on the MND Australia website.

Medicare Mental Health is an Australian Government initiative that helps people access the mental health and wellbeing services that are right for them. Medicare Mental Health offers free and confidential support online, by phone or in person.

Medicare Mental Health website

The Medicare Mental Health website provides information about the available services as well as evidence-based digital mental health resources and online programs. To find out more, visit the website at medicarementalhealth.gov.au

Medicare Mental Health phone service

People can call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212 between 8.30am and 5pm weekdays (except public holidays) for free mental health and wellbeing support. Callers will speak to a trained professional who can help them access local mental health services and support.

Medicare Mental Health Centres

Medicare Mental Health Centres offer free, confidential mental health information, services and support for adults aged 18 years and over. The centres are staffed by qualified professionals and people with lived experience of mental health challenges. No referral, diagnosis, appointment or Medicare card is required to access support. Find the nearest centre.

Medicare Mental Health Check In

Medicare Mental Health Check In provides free, online mental health support for people aged 16 years and over. The online service offers early support, before mental health challenges escalate, through evidence-based low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy. People can work through the online tools on their own or with the support of a qualified mental health practitioner via telehealth.

Medicare Mental Health eReferral

While no referral is needed for a person to access Medicare Mental Health, referrals are welcomed. GPs can refer directly into the Medicare Mental Health intake system using the HealthLink SmartForm within their clinical software. For further details, watch the demonstration video about the referral process in HealthLink or visit the WAPHA website.

More information about Medicare Mental Health

To find out more about the free mental health and wellbeing services that are available and information for health professionals, visit the Medicare Mental Health website.