Doctors and medicolegal experts are warning that proposals to make indefinite referrals the default could leave GPs and specialists without critical information.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has raised the idea in a consultation on referral reform as the Federal Government tries to clamp down on non-GP specialists repeatedly billing Medicare’s higher-paying initial attendance items.

It cited a 2020 Deeble Institute report, which argued that the current 12-month default for referrals was designed for acute conditions, not chronic illness, and that reform could save Medicare $220 million a year (see box).

The department said reform could also save patients money by eliminating GP consultations solely used to reissue referrals.