General Practice Immunisation Incentive (GPII)
The General Practice Immunisation Incentive is ending
As part of the 2012-13 Budget, the Australian Government announced that the General Practice Immunisation Incentive (GPII) payments to practices will end in 2013.
The final quarterly GPII payment will be made to eligible practices in May 2013. In addition, a May recalculation payment will be made in August to eligible practices as outlined in the GPII guidelines.
About the GPII
The General Practice Immunisation Incentive (GPII) provides financial incentives to general practices for monitoring, promoting and providing appropriate immunisation services to children under the age of seven years.
The aim of the GPII is to encourage at least 90 per cent of practices to fully immunise at least 90 per cent of children under seven years of age attending their practices.
The GPII is administered by Medicare Australia on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
The importance of general practice
General practices are central to improving the nation’s childhood immunisation coverage because they have significant levels of contact with children. Each consultation is an opportunity to monitor a child’s immunisation status and provide immunisation services if required.
According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), general practices, by definition, provide:
"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 to practices under the GPII.
It is 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.
Changes to practice circumstances
Changes to practice circumstances may have an effect on eligibility for the GPII outcomes payment or affect the payment calculation.
The practice must advise Medicare Australia, in writing, of any changes to practice arrangements by the relevant ‘point in time’ date or within 14 calendar days, whichever date is earliest.
Email: pip@medicareaustralia.gov.au
Mail:
Practice Incentives Program
GPO Box 2572
Adelaide SA 5001
Fax: 08 8274 9352
More information
Call: 1800 246 101* between 8.30am and 5.00pm AEST, Monday to Friday.
* Call charges apply from mobile and pay phones only.
Last updated: 3 May, 2013