Call to split level B for longer standard consults
The AMA wants a new intermediate attendance item between levels B and C
The Medicare items for Level B attendances should be split to reimburse GPs who spend more time with their patients, the AMA says.
AMA president Dr Tony Bartone is calling for the introduction of a new intermediate time tier, to support GPs who spend an extra couple of minutes with complex patients, but not enough time to claim a Level C attendance.
He says the new item would disrupt the “crazy” current system that penalises GPs for taking time on their standard consults, with six-minute attendances attracting the same rebate as those that take 19 minutes.
“We know there is a penalty that increases the longer you spend with a patient and that is crazy,” he says.
