Acknowledgement

2. Acknowledgement This project has been funded by the Australian Better Health Initiative: A joint Australian, State & Territory Initiative

3. Medicare Group Items • Available 1 May 2007 • Multidisciplinary group services for people with type 2 diabetes • Service provision by Medicare-registered providers: CDEs &/or AEPs and/or APDs upon referral from General Practitioner

4. Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs) • expertise in diabetes management and patient centred diabetes self management education • undertake ongoing professional development and comply with ADEA credentialling program

5. Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) • expertise in either health & fitness / exercise rehabilitation • undertake ongoing professional development to comply with AAESS accreditation program

6. Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) • expertise in medical nutrition therapy and nutrition education • undertake ongoing professional development and to comply with the requirements of the APD program

7. Professional Collaboration CDE GP GP AEP APD

8. ↓ glycosylated haemoglobin ↓ fasting blood glucose ↓ systolic blood pressure ↓ need for diabetes medications ↓ anxiety/ stress ↑ knowledge ↑ quality of life Improving locus of control Improving blood lipids ↓ body weight Evidence supporting type 2 diabetes group services Refer to Deakin, T, McShane, CE, Cade, JE et al. Group based training for self management strategies in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cochrane Database Sys Rev. 2005: CD003417.

9. Which patients are eligible? To be eligible for allied health group services, a patient must; • Have type 2 diabetes • Have a relevant care plan in place • Be referred by their GP to the eligible allied health professional for assessment for group services

10. New Group Items • New allied health items - 6 numbers, two for each profession • Allow people with type 2 diabetes to receive Medicare rebates for group services provided by; ~CDEs and/or AEPs and/or APDs • These services are in addition to the 5 individual allied health services each calendar year

11. The group programs available do not have to be limited to type 2 diabetes groups only. • Other relevant group programs, such as blood glucose monitoring, fitness or weight management group services, may be available and appropriate for a suitably assessed person with type 2 diabetes to attend.

12. GP refers eligible patient to CDE or AEP or APD or practice known be involved in group services under the Medicare Group Item, to be assessed for suitability for a preferred group service. CDE or AEP or APD individually assesses the patient for suitability and prepares for group services. Patients unsuitable for groups may be screened out at this time. Report: to GP on assessment undertaken, suitability for group services, nature of proposed group services Medicare Group Items for People with Type 2 Diabetes STEP 1: Referral STEP 2: Individual Assessment CDE and/or AEP and/or APD conduct group sessions. A maximum 8 sessions per calendar year. Sessions must include 2-12 Medicare patients. Non-Medicare, full-paying patients can also attend. Report: after last service to referring GP for each Medicare patient. STEP 3: Group Services Insert Logos of all 3 Practitioner types in order of CDE, AEP & APD

13. GP refers eligible patient to CDE or AEP or APD or practice known be involved in group services under the Medicare Group Item to be assessed for suitability for a preferred group service Step 1:Referral

15. CDE or AEP or APD individually assesses the patient for suitability and prepares for group services. Patients unsuitable for groups may be screened out at this time. MBS Items: 81100, 81110, 81120 Rebate: $60 Consultation: minimum 45mins Report: to GP on assessment undertaken, suitability for group services, nature of proposed group services Note: 1 assessment claimable per calendar year Step 2: Individual Assessment

16. Reporting to GP: Assessment • Outline of the assessment undertaken • Suitability of referred patient for group services • Nature of proposed group services

17. Step 3: Group Services • CDE and/or AEP and/or APD conduct group programs.(81105,81115,81225) • A maximum 8 sessions per calendar year. • Sessions must be minimum 1 hour duration. • Rebate is $15 per patient per sessions. • Sessions must include 2-12 Medicare patients. • Non-Medicare, full-paying patients can also attend. • Report: after last service to referring GP for each Medicare patient.

18. Reporting to GP: Group Services • Attendance record • Description of group services conducted • Outcomes achieved

19. How to find your local CDE/AEP/APD • Check the relevant association website…

20. Australian Diabetes Educators Association www.adea.com.au

21. Australian Association for Exercise & Sports Science www.aaess.com.au

22. Dietitians Association of Australia www.daa.asn.au

23. Questions