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Item 712: Adult Health Assessment |
New item number for comprehensive medical assessment in an aged care facility
July 1 saw further initiatives released under the banner of Medicare Plus, including the Comprehensive Medical Assessment (Item No. 712) for permanent residents of aged care facilities.
This is an annual assessment attracting a Medicare rebate of $150.05, and differs from an Aged Health Assessment in that there is no age limit, no review of the resident’s social function, and the assessment must be completed by personal attendance of the resident’s usual GP or a GP who is contracted to provide services to the aged care facility.
The Comprehensive Medical Assessment (CMA) is for new residents on admission, and for existing residents who have a significant change in their medical condition and or physical/psychological function. The assessment must include an informed consent by the resident or their representative, a relevant medical history, comprehensive medical examination, a list of diagnoses and/or problems, and a summary of the assessment outcomes. This outcomes summary can be a useful tool for multi-disciplinary case conferences or care plans, and if the resident’s GP contributes to the care plan, the resident may then have access to the new Allied Health and/or Dental services for People with Chronic Conditions and Complex Care Needs (Item numbers 10950 to 10977).
On completion, a copy of the CMA must be offered to the resident and a copy filed in the facility’s patient records as an aid to their provision of care. While the information required for the CMA may be gathered over a number of visits, the item number can only be claimed after all components of the assessment are complete. And if the resident is the holder of a pension or health care card, the GP may also be entitled to claim the $7.50 rebate (Item No. 10991) for the bulk billing of concession card holders, or in the case of a veteran, the $3.05 service incentive payment (Item No. MT99).
Your practice liaison project officers, Kirsty and Therese, have a hardcopy of the Comprehensive Medical Assessment template ready for use, while a Medical Director version is currently being developed. Please contact Kirsty or Therese on 6622 4453 if you would like a copy. Alternatively, for further information try the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) website at http://www.health.gov.au/medicare/health_pro/gp/cmarach.htm
Therese Greenlees is the division’s practice liaison officer.
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