GPs in Practice Incentives Program (PIP) practices will be eligible for service incentive payments if they meet Qualifying Service Levels (QSLs) for provision of care in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) in a financial year.

There are two Service Incentive Payment levels under the GP Aged Care Access Incentive component.

1. Tier 1 provides a payment of $1000 when the QSL1 of 60 Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) services are claimed in 2008-09.
2. Tier 2 provides a payment of $1500 when the QSL2 of 140 MBS services are claimed in 2008-09.

The maximum payment a GP can receive in one financial year is $2500.

From 1 July 2008 Medicare services provided count towards the QSLs.

From February 2009 Medicare calculate entitlements based on Medicare claiming records and start Incentive payments to eligible GPs in conjunction with other PIP payments. Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items that count towards QSLs include attendances in RACF, comprehensive medical assessments, contributions to care plans, case conferences and residential medication management reviews.

The MBS items that count towards the Incentive include:
20, 35, 43, 51, 92, 93, 95, 96, 712, 731, 734, 736, 738, 775, 778, 779, 903, 5010, 5028, 5049, 5067, 5260, 5263, 5265, 5267.
(Please note: This list may be revised to include other items).

GPs do not need to apply to participate in the Incentive.

Medicare requests bank details from GPs eligible to receive payments once they have reached one of the QSLs.

For more information

Please contact email pip@medicareaustralia.gov.au or call the PIP Hotline: 1800 222 032.