Govt warns GPs to bill ‘most relevant’ mental health item even if it pays less
A survey suggests many GPs are claiming standard consult items for mental health care
Health officials are warning GPs against claiming level C consultation items for mental health consults lasting longer than 20 minutes, saying it amounts to inappropriate billing.
It follows a survey of 846 GPs that found more than a third were billing standard consultations rather than a specific mental health item — in part because of the lower rebates on offer for the mental health item ($75.80 vs $76.95).
The RACGP is arguing the rebates should be aligned, saying there is no justification for the gap.
But in an advisory issued this month, the federal Department of Health and Aged Care warned GPs not to claim the better-paying MBS item.
