The recent Budget cuts to Medicare general practice mental health items under the Better Access Program mean that mental health patients will pay more for their care than people with other complex and chronic conditions.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that it is hard to comprehend why mental health patients are being penalised to help pay for the Government's mental health package.

"From November, patients with mental illness will be treated less favourably under Medicare than people with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, high cholesterol, or arthritis," Dr Hambleton said.

Under the Government's cuts to Medicare patient rebates, patients who need a GP Mental Health Plan after November 1 will be eligible for Medicare rebates that are devalued by between 25 per cent and 50 per cent compared to today.

When compared to the rebate for a chronic physical disease plan, a GP Management Plan, the new rebates for patients with a mental illness will be between 10 per cent and 50 per cent lower.

Unlike a GP Mental Health Plan, a GP Management Plan does not impose the same responsibilities on a GP in relation to making arrangements for required referrals, treatment, and support services. The preparation of a GP Mental Health Plan is complex work for GPs, involving both face-to-face and non-face-to-face time. The AMA believes it should be worth more, not less. "This slashing of the rebates for patients with mental illness is unacceptable at a time when the Government claims it is investing in mental health. These rebate cuts will reduce access to quality GP care and will seriously disadvantage the neediest of patients," Dr Hambleton said.

"The Government must seriously rethink these measures. They disadvantage and penalise people with mental illness and they devalue the GPs who are at the front line in caring for people with mental illness.

"The AMA notes the Government's efforts to increase funding for mental health, but it should not take from one part of the mental health budget to give to another. The Government calls it recalibration - the AMA calls it slashing," Dr Hambleton said.

The independent Centre for Health Policy and Programs recently reviewed the Better Access Program. The review found that patient access to care had been substantially improved and that the Program is achieving positive outcomes. It said that the Better Access Program is cost effective and has a positive effect on people with moderate to severe common mental health disorders.

Source:
Australian Medical Association