09/11/22 Editor's Note:
Further to the below news item, effective 1 November 2022, there is a revised structure for group therapy MBS items under Better Access. The changes include:
- Introduction of 16 new MBS items for group therapy sessions lasting at least 90 minutes or 120 minutes;
- Amendments to the eight existing MBS items to reduce the minimum number of patients required to hold a group therapy session from six to four; and
- Allowing all group therapy MBS items to be claimed with only three patients, if four patients were scheduled to attend but one patient does not attend (for example, due to unforeseen circumstances).
Further information on the new and amended MBS items available to deliver group therapy is available in explanatory note MN.6.7 and MN.7.4 on MBS Online, as well as in the factsheet titled ‘Group Therapy MBS Changes under the Better Access Initiative’ available on the MBS Online webpage at: www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/factsheet-current.
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Dear members,
I am pleased to tell you the Department of Health has accepted an APS recommendation to reform the group therapy MBS item to make it more accessible for psychologists and patients.
Earlier this year we recommended making group therapy more accessible and affordable by expanding MBS item eligibility to include cases where there is a reduction of group members from four to three due to illness or absenteeism. The Department has agreed to implement this recommendation in full.
From 1 November 2022, all Better Access group therapy items will apply to a service where only three patients attend if:
- four patients were due to attend; and
- one of the other patients is unable to attend.
This reform should increase the use of group therapy, relieve some workforce pressures, help address issues with group attrition and provide more financial certainty and affordability for psychologists and patients.
This important reform is due to the hard work of our members and interest groups who have long supported us in making the case to government and we thank and congratulate you on another advocacy win for APS and our profession.
Yours sincerly,
Tamara Cavenett