Is the $450 million GP enrolment scheme dead in the water?
Analysis: GPs are due to start registering patients in two weeks but it is still not clear if the scheme is going ahead
The Federal Government’s enrolment scheme for GP patients – sold as a landmark health reform – appears to have been canned amid suggestions it has been rendered redundant as a result of the new Medicare telehealth items.
Due to start on July 1, it’s been billed by ministers as a major investment in chronic disease management funding flexible, non-face-to-face, GP care.
Doctors will be offered Medicare cash to sign up regular patients aged 70 and over, with payments of $30 following every three months.
Indigenous patients aged 50 and above will also be eligible.
