Under current rules, MBS items for GPs to sit in on telehealth consultations can only be claimed when the specialist is in private practice.
Queensland Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said the arrangement was unfair – both to GPs and public hospital patients – and he called for the system to be revamped.
“Medicare funds are for consultations with doctors with a right of private practice,” Mr Springborg said.
“It excludes patients under the care of public hospital specialists which is unfair, given that, if you are a private hospital patient under the care of the same GP, maybe the same specialist, you get access [to the telehealth rebates].”
Following the introduction of the telehealth items two years ago, GPs have sat in on more than 32,000 video conferencing consultations with specialists. Under the scheme, which is restricted to regional and remote areas, GPs can claim $48.95 for a standard consult.
But Mr Springborg questioned whether it was right that Medicare did not fund the GP if they were involved with a telehealth consultation for the care of a public hospital patient.
The issue will be raised with the new federal health minister, Mr Springborg said.
“Telehealth can save the health system money. But it can save the patient an enormous amount of time in travelling when they are sick. It has enormous benefits.
“We need to make sure telehealth becomes a natural way of doing medicine; that it is part of what doctors do and I don’t think we have bred that culture yet.
“We have laid down the infrastructure – but much of it still sits idle.”
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Paul Smith
Quelle/Source: Rheumatology Update, 23.09.2013
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