Medicare compliance
Every requirement, and how we support it
This page lists each requirement for the case conferencing items in the MBS schedule, and what Conference.care does about each one.
- DisclaimerThis page is a guide only. Refer to the Medicare Benefits Schedule for the full descriptors and explanatory notes. We make no representation as to the accuracy of this information.
Organising and coordinating a conference
Applies to the coordination item numbers.
Explain to the patient the nature of the conference.
Conference.care
Hi Margaret — Dr Nguyen would like to hold a case conference about your care. Here is what that means:
How Conference.care helps
The patient is texted a plain-English explanation of what a case conference is and why it is being requested. Read our patient-friendly explainer.
Ask the patient whether they agree to the conference taking place.
How Conference.care helps
Consent is requested from the patient before the conference can be scheduled.
Record the patient's agreement to the conference.
How Conference.care helps
Patient agreement is stored against the patient with the date and time it was given.
Record the day the conference was held, and the times it started and ended.
How Conference.care helps
Start and end times are automatically captured by the platform.
Record the names of the participants.
How Conference.care helps
Participant details are automatically recorded.
Record the activities in the definition of a multidisciplinary case conference.
How Conference.care helps
Conference participants write their notes into one shared document alongside the session.
Put a copy of that record in the patient's medical records.
How Conference.care helps
The finalised document can be easily exported into your patient's record.
Offer the patient — and their carer, where you consider it appropriate and the patient agrees — a summary of the conference.
How Conference.care helps
A plain-English patient summary is automatically generated from the conference notes and is sent to the patient.
Give every other member of the case conference team a summary of the conference.
For specialist-organised conferences, a summary also goes to the patient's usual general practitioner (note AN.0.51).
How Conference.care helps
The conference document is automatically sent to all conference participants.
Discuss the outcomes of the conference with the patient — and with their carer, if there is one, if you consider it appropriate and the patient agrees.
How Conference.care helps
At the end of a conference you either flag the patient for recall to discuss the outcomes specifically or raise it at their next presentation.
Participating in a conference someone else organised
Applies to the participation item numbers.
Explain to the patient the nature of the conference.
Conference.care
Hi Margaret — Dr Nguyen would like to hold a case conference about your care. Here is what that means:
How Conference.care helps
The patient is texted a plain-English explanation of what a case conference is and why it is being requested. Read our patient-friendly explainer.
Ask the patient whether they agree to your participation.
How Conference.care helps
Consent is captured for the participation of the selected team in the case conference.
Record the patient's agreement to your participation.
How Conference.care helps
Patient agreement is stored against the patient with the date and time it was given.
Record the day the conference was held, and the times it started and ended.
How Conference.care helps
Start and end times are automatically captured by the platform.
Record the names of the participants.
How Conference.care helps
Participant details are automatically recorded.
Record the matters in the definition of a multidisciplinary case conference.
How Conference.care helps
Conference participants write their notes into one shared document alongside the session.
Patient attendance
The patient does not have to attend the conference.
They may attend if they wish, and so may their carer, with the patient’s agreement — but neither is required, and neither counts toward the team minimum.
How Conference.care helps
The organiser ticks whether to invite the patient, their carer, or neither. A tick sends that person a link to join the conference.
Bulk billing consent, when the patient isn't in the room
To bulk bill, the patient must assign their Medicare benefit to you.
Consent may be obtained electronically, including by SMS or email, provided the requirements are met. You must keep a copy of the assignment.
How Conference.care helps
After the conference the patient is asked to assign their benefit — one message, with nothing to print or sign. The assignment is stored against the patient and the service, and we retain it for two years.
Participants, duration, and frequency
How many clinicians?
- GP-organised
- GP + 2 participants
- Physician, pain & palliative
- Organiser + 3 participants
Billable time
- GP & allied health items
- 15 / 20 / 40 min
- Specialist items
- 15 / 30 / 45 min
How often?
- GPs
- No stated limit
- Specialists
- Up to 5 a year
- Allied & mental health
- Not within 3 months
These limits are per patient, not per clinician — you can take part in as many conferences as you have patients for.
Other rules that apply
Participation must be synchronous.
In person, by telephone or by video conference, using a secure and privacy-compliant platform.
How Conference.care helps
Conferences run live on our own secure video platform. Calls are not recorded or transcribed, so the discussion itself is never captured — only the note the team writes.
The patient must be in Australia.
A general Medicare requirement, not a case conferencing one: a benefit is payable only for a service rendered in Australia.
How Conference.care helps
Before the conference the patient is texted to confirm they will be in Australia. One tap opts them out if not, so a conference is not held on a day it cannot be claimed.
A case conference item cannot be used as part of developing or reviewing a GP chronic condition management plan or multidisciplinary care plan.
How Conference.care helps
The conference is its own episode in our records, with its own note, participants and times, so it is documented as separate work from any plan.
Which item numbers do I claim?
There are 106 case conferencing items. Which ones you claim depends on your profession, your role, the patient’s condition and how long the conference ran.
Our free case conference compliance advisory service
Not sure whether your team meets the minimum, which item your duration falls in, or whether a conference and a care plan can sit in the same week? Ask us. We will look at your actual situation and come back with an answer, in writing, at no charge — whether or not you use our platform.