AMA supports MRAC changes to Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician access to Group A4 MBS items
In a submission to MRAC the AMA is supportive of the changes to the SEMP MBS items.
The AMA has provided a submission to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Review Advisory Committee (MRAC) on changes to Sports and Exercise Medicine Physician (SEMPs) MBS items. This is needed to provide better access to care and better health outcomes for patients with chronic and complex conditions.
The AMA has shared concerns with the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians' (ACSEP) that current rebates provided through A3 MBS items do not reflect and facilitate the important health services SEMPs provide.
SEMPs commonly see patients who have not improved in primary care, who may often present with a range of complex or chronic musculoskeletal and medical conditions.
These patients therefore require longer treatments over an extended period of time. Under the current arrangements, these services carry significant out of pocket costs for patients.
Cost should never be a barrier for patients to access appropriate, preventative care that mitigates against downstream medical costs.
The AMA continues to support ACSEP advocacy to ensure SEMPs can deliver the complex care that achieves better health outcomes for their patients.
ACSEPs application to expand access to the more consultative A4 consultant physician MBS items is appropriate to ensure SEMPs are appropriately remunerated to spend more time with their patients and see them more frequently.
The AMA is pleased to support these changes and commends the department for responding to clinician advice for best practice.
