General Practice Immunisation Incentive (GPII)
About the GPII
The GPII provides financial incentive to general practices that monitor, promote and provide immunisation services to children under the age of seven.
The overall aim of the GPII is to encourage at least 90 per cent of practices to achieve 90 per cent proportions of full immunisation.
The GPII is made up of an outcomes payment administered by Medicare Australia and paid to practices that achieve 90 per cent or greater proportions of full immunisation, providing the practice attains 10 Whole Patient Equivalents (WPE).
The importance of general practice
General practices are one of the key groups able to improve Australia's childhood immunisation levels as they have significant contact with the target group—children under seven. Each consultation is an opportunity to monitor a child’s immunisation status and provide immunisation services if required.
General practices are broadly defined by the Australian College of General Practitioners’ (RACGP) Standards for General Practice as displaying the key features of providing:
"initial, continuing, comprehensive and coordinated medical care for all individuals, families, and communities and which integrates biomedical, psychological, social and environmental understandings of health".
The role of the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR)
The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) is central to the effectiveness of the GPII. The ACIR records details of immunisations provided to children under seven living in Australia.
ACIR information is used to determine the immunisation status of children and accordingly, the amounts paid under the GPII.
It is also important that immunisation providers send timely and accurate information to the ACIR to make sure that immunisation history statements sent to parents are up to date and parents remain eligibile to claim the Child Care Benefit and Maternity Immunisation Allowance family assistance payments.
Applying for the GPII
Practices can apply for the GPII by completing the relevant parts of the Practice Incentives Program and General Practice Immunisation Incentives application form. To get the application form, call Medicare Australia’s Practice Incentives Program (PIP) enquiry line on 1800 222 032*.
Mail or fax completed application forms to:
Practice Incentives Program
GPO Box 2572
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Fax 08 8274 9352
Changes to practice circumstances
Changes to practice circumstances may have an effect on eligibility for the GPII outcomes payment or affect the payment calculation.
Failure to inform PIP of any changes to a practice’s circumstances may mean that a provider’s services are not included in the calculation for the outcomes payment or a practice must repay monies to Medicare Australia that they were ineligible to receive.
PIP should be immediately notified by the nominated contact (as authorised by the owner of the practice) if there are any relevant changes in the practice’s circumstances, such as a provider leaving or joining the practice and practice amalgamations or closures.
Changes to practice circumstances must be in writing on practice letterhead, signed by the nominated contact and witnessed by another member of the practice. Notify the addition of a new provider at the practice through ‘Part G—Additional or new provider details’ section in the application form.
Mail or fax details of changes to practice circumstances to:
Practice Incentives Program
GPO Box 2572
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Fax 08 8274 9352
More information
For more information about the GPII, call the GPII enquiry line on 1800 246 101*.
* Call charges apply from mobile and pay phones only.
Last updated: 3 December, 2009