Find out about the closure of OMPs applications and new 3GA programs
In August 2018, our in-house Regulatory & Migration team announced the changes to OMPs Programs for Non-VR GPs. Read on to understand the new programs available to you as of 1 January 2019.
OMPs applications closed 31 Dec 2018
Applications were closed for new participants to the Other Medical Practitioner Programs (OMPs) from 31 December 2018. There will be grandfathering arrangements in place for medical practitioners participating in the:
- After-hours Other Medical Practitioners Program (AHOMPs)
- MedicarePlus Other Medical Practitioners Program (MOMPs)
- Outer Metropolitan Other Medical Practitioners Program (OMOMPs)
- Rural Other Medical Practitioners Program (ROMPs)
If you applied before the deadline…
Medical practitioners participating in an OMPs program before 1 January 2019 will be able to apply for a new practice location or apply to join a different OMPs program at a new location until 30 June 2023. Applications will be assessed against the OMPs program eligibility requirements.
During the grandfathering period, medical practitioners must continue to meet the OMPs program eligibility requirements to maintain access to higher A1 rebates.
For more information see the Department of Health OMPs details.
If you didn’t, what new programs are available?
There are three new 3GA programs starting on 1 January 2019:
- The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Fellowship Program.
- The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Fellowship Program.
- The More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP)
The MDRAP is for doctors who work in eligible locations. The pathway helps doctors to access Medicare before you transition to a college program.
If you’re registered in an existing program, you don’t need to change to a new 3GA program.
The MDRAP will encourage non-VR doctors to become Fellows and to work outside major cities. Non-VR doctors will be able to receive a Medicare provider number to directly bill Medicare in Modified Monash 2–7 to encourage them to practise in private practices in rural and remote areas. The Rural Workforce Agencies in each state are responsible for the administration of the MDRAP.
New non-VR doctors in rural areas will be able to bill 80 per cent of the amount that their specialist qualified counterparts and trainees are entitled to. To encourage higher qualifications, new non-VR doctors will be able to bill at 100 per cent when they are on a pathway to Fellowship.
You can find information about the three new programs on the Department of Health website.
How can we help?
Our in-house Regulatory & Migration team have over 30 years of combined experience helping Doctors with Medical Registration and Migration. We’re here to clarify any questions you have and assist with Medicare, AHPRA, visas and more.
Talk to our Regulatory Consultants about your Medicare options today: rms@wave.com.au or call +612 8353 9098.