Consults in Routine Hours
Consults in routine hours make up a significant portion of General Practice Item Numbers. Routine hours consults apply during times when after-hours consults are not applicable (the exact times are covered below).
Routine hours consults are separated into 3 broad categories:
- Consults in a General Practice
- Consults in a RACF (Residential Aged Care Facility)
- Consults in a Home / Hospital / Institution (not including a RACF).
Take care, as the times when routine hours are applicable differ depending on where the consult takes place.
Consults in a General Practice
Routine Hours Consults in a General Practice apply:
- Monday to Friday - between 8:00am and 8:00pm
- Saturdays - between 8:00am and 1:00pm
Item Numbers in a General Practice:
- Item 3 - Level A - A brief consult with a GP for an obvious problem
- Item 23 - Level B - A standard consult with a GP lasting between 6 minutes and 20 minutes
- Item 36 - Level C - A long consult with a GP lasting between 20 minutes and 40 minutes
- Item 44 - Level D - A prolonged consult with a GP lasting between 40 minutes and 60 minutes
- Item 123 - Level E - An extensive consult with a GP lasting over 60 minutes
Consults in a RACF
Routine Hours Consults in a RACF apply:
- Monday to Friday - between 8:00am and 6:00pm
- Saturdays - between 8:00am and 12:00pm
Routine Hours Consults in a RACF:
- Item 90020 - Level A - A brief consult with a GP for an obvious problem
- Item 90035 - Level B - A standard consult with a GP lasting between 6 minutes and 20 minutes
- Item 90043 - Level C - A long consult with a GP between 20 minutes and 40 minutes
- Item 90051 - Level D - A prolonged consult with a GP lasting between 40 minutes and 60 minutes
- Item 90054 - Level E - An extensive consult with a GP lasting over 60 minutes
In a RACF, an Item 90001 can also be charged. Item 90001 is a flag-fall service to which an Item 90020, 90035, 90043 or 90051 applies. It is a call-out fee used for the first consult at one RACF on one occasion, and can only apply to a maximum of one patient being seen at each facility. It also applies to return visits on the same day, except if the visit is a continuation of an earlier consultation.
Consults in a Home / Hospital / Institution (not including a RACF)
Routine Hours Consults in a Home / Hospital / Institution (not including a RACF) apply:
- Monday to Friday - between 8:00am and 6:00pm
- Saturdays - between 8:00am and 12:00pm
Routine Hours Consults in a Home / Hospital / Institution (not including a RACF):
- Item 4 - Level A - A brief consult with a GP
- Item 24 - Level B - A standard consult with a GP lasting between 6 minutes and 20 minutes
- Item 37 - Level C - A long consult with a GP lasting between 20 minutes and 40 minutes
- Item 47 - Level D - A prolonged consult with a GP lasting between 40 minutes and 60 minutes
- Item 124 - Level E - An extensive consult with a GP lasting over 60 minutes
Important Note: The rebate for these consult item numbers will vary depending on the number of patients the GP visits. The Ready Reckoner Calculator on the MBS Online website can assist in these calculations.
