Saturday, July 31, 2010

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Assessments

From 1st May 2010, the four Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's health assessment items have been collapsed into one health assessment item with no designated time or complexity requirements and no distinction between an assessment provided in or out of consulting rooms. The length of the health assessment is at the GP's discretion. The following health assessments can be undertaken under the new item number (715) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples health assessment:

- The Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child health assessment;
- The Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander adult health assessment; and
- The Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander older persons health assessment.

The health assessment item for services provided by a practice nurse or registered Aboriginal health worker on behalf of a GP will move to a new group (M12), and as a consequence will have a new item number (10986).

Information on the Practice Incentive Program (PIP)Indigenous Health Incentive

Practice Incentives Program (PIP) Indigenous Health Incentive (from May 2010)

The PIP is based around three key components:
- a sign-on payment;
- a payment linked to registration of each eligible patient; and
- an outcome payment associated with the cycle of care provided to the patient by the practice.

This incentive will support general practices and Indigenous health services to provide better health care to Indigenous Australians, including best practice management of chronic disease.

Indigenous Health PIP application
Guidelines
Patient Information Sheet
Patient Registration
Patient withdrawal of consent forms


Subsidising PBS Medicine Co-payments Fact Sheet
PBS Co-payment Information Sheet 
 
Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet

The Health Info Net is a one-stop info-shop; that aims to contribute to closing the gap in health between ATSI people and other Australians by informing practice and policy in Indigenous health by making research and other knowledge readily accessible. www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au

Indigenous H1N1 Resources

The Department of Health and Ageing have released a fact sheet and questions on how Indigenous communities can prevent Pandemic H1N1. The resources have been developed in consultation with Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop and the Indigenous health sector for Indigenous communities. It has been endorsed by the Australian Health Protection Committee.

The fact sheet along with questions and answers can be found at www.healthemergency.gov.au