GP practices will apparently be offered $400 million over the next four years for “enrolling” elderly patients with chronic disease.

Sources have told Australian Doctor that the plan is part of the Federal Government’s first move to expand the Health Care Homes trial and provide a mechanism for funding non-face-to-face GP care.

Based in part on a draft recommendation from the MBS Review Taskforce’s general practice and primary care committee, the plan would provide quarterly payments to practices based on the number of patients they enrolled over the age of 70 who had at least one chronic condition.

Practices will be expected to pool the cash, using the money to fund telehealth and electronic consultations for each patient enrolled.