General Practice Immunisation Incentives (GPII) Scheme
About the GPII Scheme
The General Practice Immunisation Incentives (GPII) scheme commenced in August 1997 with the introduction of quarterly coverage feedback statements to general practitioners and Divisions of General Practice.
GPII provides financial incentives to general practitioners (GPs) that monitor, promote and provide age appropriate immunisation services to children under the age of seven years. The overall aim of the GPII scheme is to encourage at least 90 per cent of practices to achieve 90 per cent proportions of full immunisation.
The General Practice Immunisation Incentives (GPII) scheme provides financial incentives to general practitioners (GPs) who monitor, promote and provide immunisation services to children under the age of seven years.
The GPII scheme is made up of three components:
- A Service Incentive Payment (SIP) - an $18.50 (not GST inclusive) payment to GPs and Other Medical Practitioners (OMPs), who notify the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) of a vaccination that completes an immunisation schedule;
- An Outcomes Payment - practices that achieve 90% or greater proportions of full immunisation providing the practice attains 10 WPEs (Whole Patient Equivalents); and
- Immunisation infrastructure funding - which provides funds to Divisions of General Practice, State-Based Organisations and funding for a National GP Immunisation Coordinator to improve the proportion of children who are immunised at local, State and national levels.
The overall aim of the GPII scheme is to encourage at least 90 per cent of practices to achieve 90 per cent proportions of full immunisation. This milestone was accomplished in the May 2003 quarter.
Why was the GPII scheme developed
Reducing the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases is one of the significant public health achievements of the past 100 years. Comprehensive levels of vaccination have led to dramatic decreases in childhood diseases such as poliomyelitis and diphtheria.
When the GPII scheme was implemented in 1998, it was considered that the number of children in Australia who were fully immunised was too low to prevent transmission of some vaccine-preventable diseases. For many children this resulted in sickness, hospitalisation, and sometimes death. Those who are not immunised, or not fully immunised, have a much higher chance of infection, which can lead to disease outbreaks and epidemics.
The Federal Government has been committed to improving the nation’s childhood immunisation levels, and, in 1997, established the Immunise Australia: the Seven Point Plan. The GPII scheme was one of a wide range of initiatives introduced under the Plan.
The importance of general practice
GPs are one of the key groups able to improve the nation’s childhood immunisation level. They have significant levels of contact with the target group - children under the age of seven.
Each consultation is an opportunity for monitoring a child’s immunisation status and for providing immunisation services if required. It is for this reason that GPs have been specifically targeted in this immunisation strategy.
The GPII scheme is not simply payment for direct immunisation services. The incentives are aimed at helping to improve the national immunisation level. This can be achieved by GPs actively encouraging and promoting immunisation generally, as well as providing immunisations themselves.
This initiative is intended to augment the services provided by local governments and Public Health Units in order to help improve Australia’s immunisation level.
The role of the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR)
The ACIR is central to the effectiveness of the GPII scheme. It began recording details of all immunisations provided to children under seven years of age from 1 January 1996.
The ACIR enables more effective management of the National Immunisation Program at National, State and Territory levels. It allows measurement of immunisation coverage rates in children as well as providing parents with an immunisation history statement when their children turn 1, 2, and 4 years of age and also on completion of 4 -5 year vaccination schedule. Parents can also request a statement at any other time. GPs and other immunisation providers receive payment for each notification of immunisation encounters forwarded to the ACIR, which completes one of the five immunisation schedules.
The ACIR information is used to determine the immunisation status of children and accordingly amounts paid under the GPII scheme. GPs will appreciate the importance of providing timely and accurate information to the ACIR. Not only does it generate a payment for notification but, through this scheme, will directly affect the amount of payment GPs will be eligible to receive.
Management, review and consultation
The GPII scheme is administered by the Department of Health and Ageing, with day-to-day management by Medicare Australia.
Development and implementation of the GPII scheme followed a consultative process, with the participation of the profession. A General Practice Immunisation Incentives Advisory Group provides ongoing input and advice to the Department of Health and Ageing on the scheme’s management. This committee includes representatives from the profession, State governments, consumers, Medicare Australia and the Department.
Applying for the GPII
The same application form is used for both the GPII scheme and the Practice Incentive Program (PIP). However applicants can use the form to apply for the GPII scheme only. Completed application forms should be sent to:
Practice Incentives Program
GPO Box 2572
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Fax: (08) 8274 9352
Ph: 1800 222 032
To obtain an application form please call the PIP enquiry line on 1800 222 032 (free call). Completed application forms cannot be lodged over the internet and must be mailed or faxed to Medicare Australia.
Practices are able to submit changes to practice profile details via fax - (08) 8274 9352. Faxes advising of changes to practice profile or bank account details must be sent on practice letterhead, be signed by the nominated authorised contact person and witnessed by another member of the practice.
Practices electing to utilise the fax option are not required to send the original document to Medicare Australia but should retain it for their own records and Medicare Australia audit purposes.
In the event that the original copy of the document cannot be produced, the faxed copy by Medicare Australia will be recognised as the original document.
More information
For more information about the GPII scheme, call the GPII enquiry line on 1800 246 101 (free call).
Last updated: 29 May, 2008