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Incentives for Hosting Specialist Video Telehealth Consultations in Residential Aged Care Facilities
PDF printable version of Incentives for Hosting Specialist Video Telehealth Consultations in Residential Aged Care Facilities (PDF 52 KB)
In 2010, the Australian Government announced the Connecting Health Services with the Future: Modernising Medicare by Providing Rebates for Online Consultations initiative. From 1 July 2011, financial incentives became available for residential aged care facilities (RACFs) that provide Telehealth Hosting services, allowing residents to have video consultations with a range of medical specialists.
Financial incentives for Residential Aged Care Facilities
Financial incentives under the initiative are aimed at encouraging changes in models of medical practice, promoting early adoption of telehealth and, in the longer term, embedding telehealth as an integral part of normal practice. Two incentives payments to encourage and support the provision of telehealth services to Australians in RACFs are now available:- A one-off On-board Incentive which RACFs will receive if they:
- meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Telehealth Program Guidelines (available at MBS Online);
- provide at least one Hosting Service; and
- submit an Application for Telehealth Host Incentive Payment form.
- Telehealth Hosting Service Incentives, paid each time a RACF provides a Hosting Service. RACFs can claim Telehealth Hosting Services Incentives payments using the Claim for Telehealth Hosting Services Incentive Payment form. Claims should be lodged on monthly basis.
Payments will be made through the monthly Aged Care Services payment run and are included in the on-line payment statement.
 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RACF On-board Incentive (one-off) | $6,000 | $4,800 | $3,900 | $3,300 |
| Telehealth Hosting Service Incentive | $60 | $48 | $39 | $33 |
Application forms for these incentives are available from the Health Professionals section of the Medicare Australia website.
Further information
Further information on the Telehealth initiative can be obtained from MBS Online and the Medicare Australia website or by contacting Medicare Australia on 1800 222 032.Yours sincerely
Keith Tracey-Patte
Assistant Secretary
Aged Care Policy and Evaluation Branch
Ageing and Aged Care Division
29 November 2011
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