If you have a chronic health condition, having ongoing support from your general practitioner (GP) is important. One way they can do this is by preparing a GP Management Plan (GPMP) and, where needed, Team Care Arrangements (TCAs).
A GP Management Plan (GPMP) can help by providing an organised approach to your health care. It is a plan of action that you agree on with your GP, which identifies your health and care needs, outlines the services your GP will provide, and lists the actions you can take to help manage your health condition.
If your health condition requires you to see at least two other health care providers, such as medical specialists or allied health professionals, your GP may also prepare a Team Care Arrangement. This is a plan to help coordinate the care you need from your GP and the other health care providers.
If your GP has prepared you both a GPMP and TCA, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates for certain allied health services if they are directly related to the management of your chronic health condition. For example, if you have diabetes, this could include a diabetes educator, dietitian and/or podiatrist. This provides you with a rebate of $56 per consultation for up to five consultations per calendar year. However, if you are seeing more than one allied health professional, these visits need to be split between them – for example, you could have two consultations with a diabetes educator, two with a dietitian and one with a podiatrist.
If you and your GP agree you would benefit from a GPMP, they will prepare the plan and provide you with a copy. They should also let you know if there will be a fee for preparing the plan or if they bulk bill for this service. The plan should be reviewed regularly, so that you and your GP can check that your goals are being met and decide if any changes might be needed to the plan. If your GP practice has a practice nurse, they can also provide you with support and monitoring between visits to your GP.
To be eligible for a GPMP and TCA, you need to have a chronic medical condition which is a condition that has been or is likely to be present for at least 6 months. This includes diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, cancer, asthma and musculoskeletal conditions, such as arthritis.
To find out more about GP management plans, speak with your GP or practice nurse or visit the Department of Health website: Department of Health and Aged Care: Chronic Disease Management Patient Information
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