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Last Modified 17/6/99

This Fact Sheet is updated from that issued previously as update 5/03/99 17:00 to clarify the situation as of June 1999 re IM/IT money available.

The NRDGP Office received new information regarding PIP last week, as are/will all practices about this time from the PIP. Please discard the previous Fact Sheet as this version replaces it.

1. GPs and practices interested in the PIP should phone 1800 222 032 9:00am-5:30pm Eastern Standard Time WITHOUT DELAY. The sooner a practice applies for the PIP, gets accepted and listed, the sooner it gets paid. Payment is NOT RETROSPECTIVE, that is, the later you apply, the less total money you may get.

THE NEXT CUTOFF DATE IS FRI 16 JULY 1999

The PIP staff on this number are truly helpful, informed, will post out an info kit and application forms, and are able to talk people through the application form if necessary. They are able to refer complex enquiries to other staff for a more detailed response.

It takes about two to three weeks to process an application. Assuming that your application is correct and the criteria are met, you can expect a payment every three months from the Approval date (effectively Lodgement date). For example, you lodge now, June 99, first payment will be late August 99, next in late Nov and ongoing every three months etc. If another practice lodges in late July, first payment will be in late Nov, that is, they will miss out on one quarterly payment.

2. Any practice can apply for the PIP now:

• By completing an application form and following a process.
• By completing a streamlined application form for accredited practices, or those registered for accreditation.

(Eventually PIP will be only accessible to accredited practices. Accreditation registration costs $1200. Until 30 June 1999 a deposit may be made of $100 with the balance of $1100 being made at the first practice visit, approximately three months later. After 30 June 1999, the full $1200 is payable up front for accreditation registration.)

3. It is not possible to apply for the Better Practice Program (BPP) list. It is closed. The PIP replaces it. The PIP will come into effect 1 July 1999. There are transitional arrangements between the BPP and PIP. BPP participants are automatically listed in the PIP.

4. The proposed PIP IM/IT Component to use 50% of PIP funds will now occur, comprising three levels:

• 1 provision of basic practice information necessary to join the PIP simply filling in an application form;
• 2 electronic prescribing by a majority of GPs in a practice, for a majority of scripts;
• 3 the capacity for electronic communication beyond the practice.

5. In practical terms, the three tiers are as simple as:

• Level 1 -
  • for those not yet in the PIP, completing the PIP application form (Questions 11 and 12 relate to the IM/IT Component). If you meet the PIP criteria and are accepted into PIP, you will receive Level 1 payment.
  • for those already in the PIP, completing the Confirmation Form that you have just been/will be sent. The Confirmation Form is simply a status update to allow the PIP to update its practice database. You will automatically receive Level 1 payment. IN BOTH CASES THE CUTOFF DATE IS FRI 16 JULY RECEIVED BY PIP TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE LATE AUGUST QUARTERLY PAYMENT. IF YOU MISS THAT DATE, YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE LATE NOV QUATERTLY PAYMENT, BUT WILL HAVE LOST THE AUGUST PAYMENT.
• Level 2 - using a computer program to print out a prescription, eg using Medical Director or some other software. Typically the computer is on the doctors desk, but does not necessarily need be.

• Level 3 Having the capacity for sending and/or receiving information electronically by for example:
  • email, such as emailing a referral letter to another doctor (eg specialist)
  • electronic pathology receival, such as using Medical Director or other software to receive pathology download from Sullivan and Nicolaides or other provider capacity is defined as having at the practice:
  • a computer
  • a modem (that connects your computer to the telephone line)
  • a current email account or Internet connection (in general terms via an Internet Service Provider (ISP), being the company that provides the Internet access to you). Given the term is capacity, not using, then just having the equipment and not necessarily actively using it implies eligibility for Level 3 payment. Presumably the Level 3 criteria would be tightened up later in the PIP timeline. (Note: submitting bulk-bill claims electronically using the HIC Medclaims system via a patient billing program eg Pracsoft or other program on a computer, or the Optus Healthpoint unit, does NOT meet the criteria).

The number of GPs in the practice is irrelevant, its per practice. Basically, by doing very little, with little change in a practice, Levels 1 and 3 can be achieved easily and will pay $6/SWPE(99-2000), presumably $1.50/SWPE/quarter. If you have 1000 SWPEs, thats $1500 in Aug 99, $1500 in Nov 99, $1500 in Feb 2000, $1500 in May 2000. If majority of GPs electronically prescribe, add Level 2, thats $4000 ($1000 Aug, $1000 Nov etc).

6. The NRDGP is providing all practices with a free email account on request (people attending the IM/IT Forum at Ballina RSL Club Saturday 19 June will be the first to receive them).

7. The NRDGP will continue to notify practices of any significant developments re PIP IM/IT as we are notified. End of Fact Sheet. l