Removal of MBS rebate for longer phone consultations is premature

Posted byMichael TamPosted inadvocacyTags:, ,

Sydney South West GP Link Deputy Chair, Dr Michael Tam, discusses the impact of the removal of these MBS rebates on patients and GPs, especially in vulnerable communities with ongoing new cases of COVID-19, in newsGP.

For people seeking care, they are either going to miss out or there will be a very sudden push back to face-to-face in-person care. The removal of access to these services has come fairly quickly in the recovery from the outbreak, particularly with the relaxation in some of the restrictions. It is expected that case numbers will rise, so I wonder if the removal of these items is premature.

https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/professional/long-phone-consultations-end-in-nsw-with-hotspot-c

Published by Michael Tam

Dr Michael Tam is a clinical academic Specialist General Practitioner, combining the provision of family medicine, research, health services development, and governance. Michael’s clinical interest is in the whole-person primary care of people living with mental illness. He is actively involved in mental health policy, strategy, and governance, with local, state, and national bodies. Michael’s research is in integrated care and preventive care in general practice. He has expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

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