Aged Care Access Initiative

The Aged Care Access Initiative was introduced in the 2008-09 Federal Budget. It is to replace the Aged Care GP Panels Initiative funded in the 2004-05 Federal Budget. The Aged Care Access Initiative will enable direct primary care services to be provided in Commonwealth funded residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

The Aged Care Access Initiative has two distinct components:

  1. GP Incentive component
  2. Allied Health services component

The aim of the Aged Care Access Initiative is to improve access to primary care (GP and allied health services) for residents of aged care facilities.

The GP incentive payment will operate through the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) and is designed to encourage GPs to provide more services in RACFs. The incentive recognises some of the difficulties faced by GPs in providing care in these settings and aims to encourage GPs to continue to provide increased and continuing services in RACFs. The PIP payments will be administered through Medicare Australia.

The allied health services component is a payment for clinical care provided by Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) in RACFs, where these services are not currently covered by Medicare or other government funding arrangements. This component will be managed by State Based Organisations in each State and Territory which may purchase allied health services directly or through contractual arrangements with Divisions of General Practice.

For a copy of the guidelines and additional information on the initiative log onto the Department's website at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/aged_care_access