The Weekly GP Update

What changed

The MBS Review Advisory Committee's draft report on time-tiered GP consultations is now publicly released (covered here last week ahead of release). It recommends higher rebates for level C, D and E consults, switching bulk-billing incentives from a flat fee to one tied to consultation length, abolishing standalone acupuncture and antenatal items in favour of billing by time, and redefining after-hours as anything after 6pm on a weekday with a loading replacing the current tangle of items. Consultation runs until mid-October; the final report goes to government by the end of the year.

In the consult

Still nothing to bill differently - but this is the consultation window, not a done deal. If you do antenatal shared care or acupuncture, the proposed abolition of those standalone items deserves your response. The RACGP wants a 40% lift to level C-E; the report pointedly names no figure.

ABC News →

What changed

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing's excessive-medical-fees consultation paper landed, aimed squarely at non-GP specialists. Six reform options include caps on out-of-pocket fees for MBS services, bulk-billing incentives for non-GP specialists, and PSR-style peer assessment of fees. Its own analysis found about 1.1% of in-hospital patients were charged three to five times the median fee.

In the consult

This targets specialist fees, not yours - but it is useful context when a patient baulks at a referral's gap fee, and a marker of where the affordability debate is heading for the whole system.

The Medical Republic →

What changed

Following last week's Nucala (mepolizumab) listing, the eligibility detail is now clear: adults with uncontrolled COPD on optimised triple therapy, blood eosinophils at least 300 cells/microL, and at least one severe or two moderate exacerbations in the previous 12 months - at least one of them while on triple therapy. The MATINEE trial showed a 21% reduction in moderate-to-severe exacerbations. GPs cannot initiate it; respiratory physicians prescribe.

In the consult

Your job is finding the candidates: anyone still exacerbating on triple therapy earns an eosinophil count on their next blood test. Send the count and the exacerbation history with the referral - it is exactly what the specialist needs to say yes quickly.

The Medical Republic →

What changed

Tofersen becomes the first targeted therapy subsidised for MND - specifically SOD1-mutated ALS - from 1 October. The cost falls from about $28,000 to $25 per script ($7.70 concession). Only around 70 Australians a year are expected to benefit; it is the third MND treatment on the PBS overall.

In the consult

Rare, but practice-changing for the families it touches: a new MND diagnosis now carries a reason to push for genetic testing through neurology, and patients with a family history may walk in having seen the coverage.

Sydney Morning Herald →

What changed

The national pharmacist-led prescribing trial for hormonal contraception starts in January, and the pharmacy guild is promoting commissioned modelling claiming $94.5 million in annual benefits and 730,000 freed-up GP consultations. The RACGP's response: a prescription is not an outcome - the trial should be judged on whether women receive the care they need, including what happens after the pharmacy visit.

In the consult

Queensland pharmacists can already initiate contraception for low-risk women; the national trial widens the door from January. Expect more patients arriving with pharmacist-initiated scripts - worth deciding now how your practice documents and follows up those handovers.

The Medical Republic →

What changed

GCPHN hosts its Gold Coast GP Maternity Clinical Update 2026 webinar tomorrow, Tuesday 15 September, for local GPs. Registration is via the GCPHN events page.

In the consult

If you do shared antenatal care on the Coast, this is the local update - doubly relevant with MRAC proposing to abolish standalone antenatal MBS items (see this week's Medicare section).

GCPHN events →