Incentive payments for General Practitioners

Last updated:

21 December 2021

There are a number of incentive payments available to practitioners working with our clients.

Veterans' Access Payment (VAP)

As a General Practitioner (GP) you may claim a supplementary VAP for services you provide to eligible veterans and dependants. From 1 January 2022, the VAP incentive payment is payable based on your Modified Monash Model (MMM) classification.

DVA has introduced telehealth specific VAP incentives in addition to the existing face‑to‑face item numbers. When providing services to eligible veterans you can claim the appropriate VAP using the incentive item numbers below.

General practice consultations

Table 1: VAP incentives for general practitioners
VAP Face-to-Face item	VAP DVA Telehealth Item	MMM Region
10990	MT89	1
10991	MT88	2
10992	MT87	2-7 (afterhours)
75855	MT86	3 or 4
75856	MT85	5
75857	MT84	6
75858	MT83	7

Diagnostic imaging services

Table 2: VAP incentives for diagnostic imaging services
VAP Item	MMM Region
64990	1
64991	2
64992	3 or 4
64993	5
64994	6
64995	7

Pathology services

Table 3: VAP incentives for pathology services
VAP Item	MMM Region
74990	1
74991	2
75861	3 or 4
75862	5
75863	6
75864	7

More information of DVA’s permanent telehealth arrangements is available on the Permanent Telehealth information for Health Care providers webpage and the fee schedules for medical services are available online.

The Practice Nurse Incentive Program (PNIP)

PNIP provides incentive payments to practices to enhance and expand the role of nurses working in general practice.

Each year practices receive an annual per client payment based on the number of 'in room' consultations they provide. This only applies to clients who have a Veteran Gold Card. There are no limits on the amount per practice.

Medicare calculates the payments. They make the payments in August each year. Visit the Medicare website for more information on PNIP.

The Rural Enhancement Initiative

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Repatriation Commission and the Australian Medical Association Ltd (AMA) makes provision for us to pay a higher fee to GPs who provide services to veterans in identified rural public hospitals.

GPs participating in the rural enhancement initiative receive a 10% loading on top of the GP rate. This applies in:

NSW
Victoria
South Australia
Western Australia

You can view a list of identified rural hospitals.

If you treat veterans at any of these identified hospitals you are eligible to receive higher fees. This applies to all MBS services provided for eligible veterans.

Participating in the Rural Enhancement Initiative

There are 3 steps to participating in the Rural Enhancement Initiative.

1. Apply for a Medicare provider number

Apply for a provider number for the specified hospital or hospitals where you provide services. To do this complete the Application for a Medicare Provider Number for a Medical Practitioner form and submit it to Medicare Australia.

2. Let us know

Tell us your provider number when you get it. We record the details, which will let Medicare Australia know that this practice attracts the higher fee.

3. Bill to practice location

You must bill all services that you provide at the hospital or hospitals to that location. This helps make sure you get the correct payments. We will not pay the higher rate for services you provide at eligible rural hospitals but bill to other practice addresses.

Contact us

For invoicing and billing enquiries call 1300 550 017.

For other provider enquiries call 1800 550 457.