Information for Allied Health Providers
MBS Online published the Upcoming Changes to Chronic Disease Management Framework factsheet, confirming a new chronic condition management framework effective 1 July 2025.
These changes primarily affect medical practitioners, however, allied health professionals providing MBS services should be aware of the changes to plan and referral requirements.
What changed?
The referring GP or prescribed medical practitioner refers the patient directly to allied health services under the GPCCMP.
Under a GPCCMP, patients can access individual allied health services. For group allied health services, access is generally limited to patients with type 2 diabetes.
What has stayed the same?
The types of allied health services that can be delivered under CDM have not changed.
What changed?
The previous requirement for the GP to consult or collaborate with other multidisciplinary team members when preparing or reviewing the plan has been removed. Allied health providers do not need to confirm their agreement to be part of a team.
What has stayed the same?
The obligation to send reports back to the referring GP remains. Allied health professionals must provide a written report to the referring medical practitioner after the first and last service. They can provide the reports more often if clinically necessary.
What has changed?
Referrals to allied health services under the new framework must be via referral letters (similar to medical specialist referrals), rather than on the old referral form. See Referral Arrangement Factsheet for the minimum requirements for a valid referral.
What has stayed the same?
Referrals written before 1 July 2025 remain valid until all services under them have been delivered or until 30 June 2027.
What changed?
Unless otherwise stated by the referring medical practitioner, referrals under the new system will be valid for 18 months.
What has stayed the same?
Allied health providers need to check the date of the referral and whether it remains within the valid period.
What changed?
To access allied health services under the new GPCCMP, patients must have had their plan prepared or reviewed within the last 18 months.
What has stayed the same?
Patients who had a GPMP/TCA prior to 1 July 2025 may continue to use those plans until 30 June 2027. After 30 June 2027, a GPCCMP will be required for ongoing access to allied health services.
What changed?
New MBS item numbers were introduced for “Prepare GPCCMP” and “Review GPCCMP” (face-to-face and telehealth) for GPs and prescribed medical practitioners.
What has stayed the same?
The limit that a plan may be prepared no more often than every 12 months (unless needed) and reviews every 3 months (unless specified).
Patients continue to have access to five subsidised allied health visits per year under these arrangements.
For more information, MBS Online has released a selection of Factsheets here: MBS Online – Upcoming changes to the MBS Chronic Disease Management Framework
Allied Health Professionals Australia held a webinar: Changes to the Chronic Disease Management Framework – Implications for Allied Health Professionals. You can watch the recording here.
For additional queries, contact alliedhealth@gphn.org.au