Members should be aware that from 1 July 2025, there will be a new framework for chronic disease management in primary care. These changes implement the recommendations of the MBS Review Taskforce and are designed to streamline, simplify and modernise the MBS items for patients and practitioners.
These changes primarily affect medical practitioners; however, allied health professionals delivering MBS services should also be aware of changes to plan and referral requirements.
What does this mean for chiropractors?
We recommend that all chiropractors read the factsheets from the Department of Health about What the changes mean for Allied Health and Referral Arrangements for Allied Health.
In summary:
- From 1 July 2025, GP Management Plans (GPMPs) and Team Care Arrangements (TCAs) will be replaced with a single GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP).
- The nature of the individual and group allied health services that can be provided under the chronic condition management arrangements is not changing as part of these reforms. However, there are changes to the item descriptors for these items because of the removal of GPMPs and TCAs, and commencement of GPCCMPs.
- Referrals for allied health services written on or after 1 July 2025 will be in the form of a letter, not the form used previously. Referrals written before 1 July 2025 remain valid until all services under the referral have been provided (see separate factsheet on referral requirements).The changes remove multiple plans and existing collaboration requirements.
- All other MBS requirements of the existing allied health services are unchanged, including requirements to provide written reports to the referring medical practitioner.[1]
Further fact sheets about these changes, including referral transition arrangements, are accessible via MBS online.
[1] Department of Health (2025) Upcoming Changes to Chronic Disease Management Framework – What do the Changes Mean for Allied Health Providers. Available at: https://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/Factsheet-Upcoming%20changes%20to%20the%20MBS%20Chronic%20Disease%20Management%20Framework