GP management plans and team care arrangements
GP management plans provide support for people with chronic medical conditions, including cancer, that are likely to be present for six months or longer.
There are two types of GP management plans your GP can prepare for you.
- A GP management plan (GPMP)
- Team care arrangements (TCAs).
GPMPs can help you by providing an organised approach to care. A GPMP is a plan of action that:
- Identifies your health care needs
- Sets out the services to be provided by your GP
- Lists any other health care and community services you may need
- Lists the actions you can take to help manage your condition.
A TCA enables you to have access to other health care providers, including allied health workers, who may be able to provide treatment or services to you. These include physiotherapists, registered lymphoedema practitioners, dietitians, podiatrists, occupational therapists and exercise physiologists.
Having a TCA in place means that you may be eligible for Medicare rebates for the care provided by these health workers for up to five visits per year. However, the care must be directly related to your breast cancer. You may need to make a special appointment to discuss a TCA – your GP’s receptionist will be able to advise.
GP mental health plans
If your GP believes that you would benefit from ongoing counselling, they can draw up a GP mental health plan and refer you to an appropriate specialist. A GP mental health plan allows you to up to 10 individual Medicare-subsidised appointments and 10 group appointments with an allied health mental health service provider such as a clinical psychologist, specialist GP, social worker or clinical occupational therapist.
For further information, please see BCNA's free GP mental health treatment plan fact sheet.