From 1 January 2010 a new Medicare item - 2702 - was introduced for General Practitioners who have not completed accredited mental health skills (MHS) training.

GPs who completed accredited mental health skills training by 1 January 2010 (in any previous RACGP triennium since 1 July 2001) can continue to claim item 2710.

The General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC) will advise Medicare Australia of GPs who have completed accredited MHS training and will continue do so into 2010 on a monthly basis. Medicare Australia will advise GPs when they have been registered. Note, there will a delay in notifying Medicare Australia of between 2 to 6 weeks from when training was completed.

Medicare Australia will reject claims for item 2710 from 1 January from GPs who are not registered with Medicare Australia as having completed training. The Medicare system will not automatically default these claims to item 2702.

GPs who consider they have gained the requisite mental health skills through other training pathways, including tertiary qualifications, can apply to the GPMHSC for individual recognition - phone 03 8699 0554 or gpmhsc@racgp.org.au.

For a list of accredited courses, see our Accredited Mental Health Training Guide or visit the GPMHSC website.

Last updated: 3 March 2010