CMAs for Aged Care Home Residents
15th July 2004
By: ADGP

As reported in the previous edition of ADGP News, a new Medicare item (MBS item no. 712) is now available for Comprehensive Medical Assessments (CMA) of residents of aged care homes.

The CMA item was introduced on July 1 and attracts a Medicare rebate of $150.05. CMAs are a voluntary service available to new residents of aged care homes and to existing residents if required, with a maximum of one CMA per resident in a 12 month period.  A CMA involves a full systems review, including an assessment of the resident's health and physical and psychological function.

Representatives from ADGP and other GP organisations contributed to the development of the CMA item and strongly supported its introduction. Supporting information for the CMA, including the item descriptor and explanatory notes, questions and answers and a sample CMA form, are available on the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) website at  www.health.gov.au/medicare/health_pro/gp/cmarach.htm.  

Additional information is now available on this website (use the link below), including:

• Comprehensive Medical Assessment (CMA) Template
• CMA MBS descriptor
• DoHA CMA GP Information Sheet
• DoHA GP Panels Information Sheet for GPs, Divisions and Aged Care Homes
• PDF version of the Aged Care GP Panels Initiative Handbook
• A Frequently asked Questions section

Divisions are asked to contact Debbie Bampton, ADGP Principal Adviser - Aged Care, on 02 6228 0821 or via e-mail: dbampton@adgp.com.au if they have not received a copy of the GP Panels Handbook via a workshop or the state/territory office of DoHA.
 
The DoHA Aged Care Branch should have forwarded aged care packages to each Division via their state and territory offices, containing:

• DoHA Ageing in Australia CD Rom
• GP Panels Fact Sheets
• 5 Steps to Entry into Residential Aged Care Information Pack
• Guidelines for medication management in residential aged care facilities (APAC)
• DoHA Aged Care in Australia: August 2003
• CMA Guidance Material