New GPII entry requirements
As part of the 2009-10 Budget, the Australian Government announced that entry requirements relating to proper vaccine storage and handling processes would be introduced to the General Practice Immunisation Incentive (GPII) in August 2010. The introduction of entry requirements aims to improve the quality and safety of the immunisation activities of non-accredited general practices.
The requirements for receiving a GPII outcomes payment, and the payment of $3.50 per Whole Patient Equivalent (WPE), will remain the same.
In order to meet the entry requirements, practices must:
- have current public liability insurance
- make sure that all GPs working from the practice have current professional indemnity cover
- have appropriate processes in place that maintain the potency of vaccines.
The specific vaccine management requirements that practices will need to meet are outlined in The Australian Immunisation Handbook
(Chapter 1.3.2 of the 9th edition). Practices should use the information in the Handbook as a self-assessment tool to determine whether they meet the vaccine management guidelines.
The new arrangements will apply to practices already participating and any new practices applying to participate in the GPII. Practices that have already been approved for participation in the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) will be automatically considered to meet the new GPII entry requirements.
Practices that are participating in the GPII but not the PIP will need to confirm that they meet the new GPII entry requirements by 30 April 2010, in order to be eligible for the August 2010 outcomes payment.
Medicare Australia will write to affected practices in late 2009 and early 2010 with details about the requirements and the application process.
For more information about the GPII, call the GPII Enquiry Line on 1800 246 101*.
* Call charges apply from mobile or pay phone only.
Last updated: 19 March, 2010
