GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangements

What is a GP Management Plan (GPMP)?

A GP Management Plan is a written plan of management for chronic conditions or chronic disease management, developed by your GP and practice nurse in consultation with you. The GP Management Plan contains treatment, tasks and goals that are wanting to be achieved. .

Who will benefit from a GP Management Plan?

Any person with a chronic medical condition. A chronic medical condition is something that is expected to last six (6) months or longer examples of which are:

What happens when your doctor organises a Management Plan?

Together we:

What is a Team Care Arrangement (TCA)?

If the doctor determines you would benefit from other health care providers or allied health professionals being involved in providing treatment, a team care arrangement will be completed. With your consent, your doctor or practice nurse will ask the relevant allied health professionals to be part of your care plan. Once care team members have agreed to participate in your care team, your doctor can complete an EPC referral which provides those eligible with five (5) Medicare subsidised visits to eligible Allied health providers. These visits can be allocated to one provider or split between providers. Each year you will be required to renew your EPC referrals.

What is an Allied Health Professional?

Allied health professionals can help you manage your physical or mental health, through services that include diagnosis, treatment or rehabilitation. Allied health practitioners include:

• Aboriginal Health Workers

• Physiotherapists,

• Dietitians,

• Podiatrists,

• Audiologists,

• Diabetes educators

• Occupational therapists

• Pharmacist,

• Exercise Physiologists

• Speech Pathologists

• Osteopaths

• Mental Health Workers

• Psychologists

• Chiropractors

Once a plan is in place, it is recommended that it be regularly reviewed by your GP. This is an important part of the plan cycle, where you with your GP and practice nurse check that your goals are being met and agree on any changes that you may require. A GP management plan review is usually undertaken every six (6) months.

All GPMP Reviews are bulk billed by your GP. There will be no out of pocket charge for these services.

How long will it take?

The management plan will take about 45-60 minutes of your time. Your doctor and practice nurse will spend this time consulting with you to prepare your care plan.

Who is eligible?

Your GP will decide if you fulfill the eligibility requirements set by Medicare, prior to preparing a plan.

Medicare has guidelines on who can and can’t have a GP Management Plan prepared. Your GP will help in making this decision.

How many visits can I have with an allied health professional?

Patients with a GP Management plan and Team Care Arrangement are eligible for 5 visits per calendar year to see allied health professionals.

Will it cost anything to have a GPMP and TCA done by my GP or practice nurse?

All GPMP and TCA plans are bulked billed by your GP, so there will be no out of pocket charge for these services.

Will it cost anything to see an allied health professional with a GPMP and TCA?

Allied health professionals may require you to pay on top of the Medicare rebate. Speak to your allied health professional about any charges.