Introduction
If you’re a GP, practice owner, or practice manager, you’ve probably noticed the Medicare landscape shifting over the past 18 months. And you’re not wrong to feel that way.
Between the 2025 chronic disease reforms, the July 2026 Assignment of Benefit modernisation, and now the November changes to GPCCMP and Health Assessments, there’s a lot to keep up with. The goal of this post isn’t to overwhelm you, it’s to help you understand what’s changed, why it matters, and what you can do about it.
The GPCCMP framwork
The GPCCMP items (965, 967, 92029, 92030) have been updated, and applying them correctly is more important than ever. These items form the backbone of chronic disease management in general practice, and the updates are designed to better reflect how care is actually delivered today.
If you’re still finding your feet with the updated framework, you’re not alone. The key is making sure your documentation and workflows align with the current requirements.
Assignment of Benefit goes digital
The July 2026 modernisation means every bulk-billed claim now needs to be captured and lodged through compliant digital and electronic consent processes. The days of paper-based consent are fading fast.
For practices that haven’t yet made the transition, this is worth prioritising. Moving to digital consent not only keeps you compliant but can also streamline your admin and reduce errors.
New MBS items and health assessments
From 1 July 2026, new and amended MBS general medical services items came into effect. Add to that the November changes to Health Assessments, and there’s a real risk of either missing out on legitimate claims or triggering audit flags.
The 3-Year-Old Health Assessment is one of the biggest November changes. It’s a key opportunity to catch developmental issues early and add real value to your practice, but only if it’s applied correctly.
What this means for your practice
Whether you’re bulk-billing, mixed billing, or private billing, these changes affect how you operate day to day. The practices that thrive will be the ones that understand the reforms and apply them with precision.
Compliance isn’t just about avoiding errors. It’s about protecting your revenue, reducing admin burden, and making sure your patients get the care they need without unnecessary out-of-pocket costs.
Where to from here?
If you want to dive deeper into these changes, we’re running our final MBS workshop for 2026 in Melbourne. It’s a two-day event where expert presenters break down everything we’ve covered here and more — GPCCMP, digital AoB, new MBS items, documentation, and practical strategies for your practice.
You can find more details and secure your place here. https://MBS-Education-for-GPs-Workshop-Melbourne2026.eventbrite.com.au
