RACGP urges government to engage with profession regarding GP mental health funding cuts

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) continues to receive feedback from amongst its over 20,000 members regarding the implications of the government’s budget cuts for critical mental health support delivered by GPs. The College urges the government to engage with the profession regarding the cuts to GP mental health assessments, planning and referrals.

Professor Claire Jackson, RACGP President, said that many GPs have expressed concern at the government’s decision to remove the GP mental healthcare plan rebates (Medicare item 2710) and the number of allied psychological consultations available to patients.*

“The College is surprised and disappointed with the government’s decision to slash funding from general practice mental healthcare planning and GPs nationally are extremely concerned about the impact in their communities. The College and other general practice stakeholders rightly expect that the government would have consulted with them regarding the potential implications of such significant changes.

“A $300 million reduction in funding for patients to see a GP regarding mental health issues is something of critical national importance – we urge the government to act now by urgently meeting with the profession.

“We know that around 70 percent of patients will consult with their GP when they are first noticing problems with their mental health. Patients and their families require someone to coordinate their mental and physical health needs and to coordinate clinical information flow; GPs are best placed to take on this role. MBS item 2710 was specifically designed to allow the combination of face-to-face GP clinical assessment and management with the all-important ‘backroom’ co-ordination and referral process.

“Data shows that nearly 92 percent of GPs bulk-billed MBS item 2710 and there were over half a million 2710 items delivered in the last financial year across almost every Australian community. Under the new scheme, it may no longer be financially viable for many GPs to bulk-bill patients in preparing such mental health treatment plans. Therefore, patients may need to pay a significant ‘gap fee’ for this service, which concerningly will reduce access to services.

“The last thing that the College and the general practice sector wish for is for high quality mental healthcare to become more expensive or difficult to access for those who really need help. This is clearly an issue about patient access to quality healthcare,” she said. “At a time when healthcare reform is stressing the importance of prevention and early intervention, the general practitioner’s role in this key mental health role is being diminished.”

Professor Jackson said that the RACGP and its GP members is currently seeking meetings with politicians in all states and territories in order to raise understanding of the implications of the changes to mental healthcare for patients.

“Whilst the College welcomes the government’s commitment to mental healthcare and acknowledges the significant additional funding for chronic mental health support, the College does not support the redirection of funds from the successful Better Access Initiative,” Professor Jackson concluded.

The RACGP is keen to work on a revised proposal with the government to ensure the ongoing delivery of effective support for our patients with mental illness.

To read the RACGP’s media release ‘Budget lacks coordinated health funding to ensure high quality healthcare’ (10 May 2011), please visit www.racgp.org.au/media2011/42344.

To read the RACGP’s detailed member briefing document in response to the Federal Budget 2011-2012, please visit www.racgp.org.au/healthreform/42416.

Notes:

* Background

The 2011-2012 Federal Budget has reduced funding for GP mental health services by $50.1 million ($306.9 million over 4 years) through reductions in GP mental healthcare plan rebates (Medicare item 2710) and the number of allied psychological consultations available to patients from a potential 18 per year, to a potential 10 per year. Under the new arrangements, Medicare rebates for a clinical assessment and preparation of a care plan will be reduced from the current $163.35 rebate to:

• $126.43 for consultations lasting this length (more than 40 minutes)
• $85.92 for consultation lasting between 20 and 40 minutes.
• For general practitioners who have not yet completed mental health training, the patient rebates have been reduced to:
• $99.55 for consultation lasting more than 40 minutes
• $67.65 for consultations lasting between 20 and 40 minutes.