New restrictions on MBS telehealth items
20 Jul 2020
From Monday 20 July 2020, GPs and other medical practitioners working in general practice can only bill an MBS COVID-19 telehealth and telephone attendance where they have a relationship with the patient.
The MBS telehealth items will be restricted to the patient’s usual medical practitioner (other than a specialist or consultant physician) who:
- has provided at least one service (excluding telehealth and phone attendances) to the patient in the past 12 months, or
- is located in a medical practice at which at least one service to the patient was provided, or arranged by, in the past 12 months, or
- is a participant in the Approved Medical Deputising Service that has an agreement in place with a medical practice which has provided at least one service to the patient in the past 12 months.
These changes do not apply to telehealth services provided to a person who is:
- under the age of 12 months, or
- experiencing homelessness, or
- in a COVID-19 impacted area (movement restricted by a public health requirement applying to the patient’s location), or
- receiving the service from a medical practitioner located at an Aboriginal Medical Service/Community Controlled Health Service.
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This blog contains general information only. We recommend you contact your medical defence organisation or insurer when you require specific advice in relation to medico-legal matters.
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