The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is adding its weight to advocacy, calling for the return of electrocardiogram (ECG) general practice MBS billing items.
In 2020, ECG MBS Billing items were changed, with Rural Generalists (RGs) and General Practitioners (GPs) only able to claim MBS items for recording ECGs, and reporting was no longer covered.
At the time, ACRRM expressed its strong opposition to the decision, noting concerns that rural and remote people were going to be unfairly disadvantaged, and that the decision flew in the face of the move towards recognition and adoption of RG practice.
ACRRM President Dr Dan Halliday says the amendments have negatively impacted on RGs and specialist GPs.
“As medical professionals, we are trained and skilled at reading and interpreting ECGs and we manage patients with significant conditions, such as acute heart attack or at emergency retrieval,” Dr Halliday says.
“The removal of these MBS items effectively removed the funded capacity for RGs and GPs to report and clinically note ECG tracing.
“It’s a complex area, that has resulted in increased costs and poorer access for patients, especially those who must travel significant distances to access specialist care.
“Our understanding is that the decision was based on economic considerations rather than securing the best outcomes for patients.
“It flies in the face of evidence that the RG models are most effective in providing high quality continuity of care.
“We are committed to working with government and other stakeholders to achieve a reversal of this decision so that we can have the best possible healthcare outcomes for rural and remote and First Nations Peoples communities.”