CHANGES IN MBS BULK BILLING INCENTIVES ADDRESS GP CAPACITY IN WOMEN’S HEALTH Reforms expand professional pathways and clinical scope to meet the demands of patients
With
Dr Sneha Wadhwani, GP
Bondi Junction Medical & Dental Centre &
Conjoint Lecturer, UNSW Medical School &
Clinical Director NSW & ACT,
Head of GP Wellbeing & Women’s Health,
ForHealth Group &
Co-Founder & National Clinical Director
Evoca Women’s Health
SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney | November 2025
Dr. Sneha Wadhwani, a General Practitioner in Bondi, and Conjoint Lecturer at UNSW School of Medicine, is actively involved in enhancing women’s health services across Australia. As the Co-founder and Clinical Director of Evoca Women’s Health, she highlights the significant improvements in funding for women’s health, particularly with the new MBS bulk billing incentives, in new codes, that commenced on November 1, 2025.
These codes facilitate bulk billing for essential services such as menopause health assessments and long-acting reversible contraceptives, enabling more women to access critical care at little or no cost. These advancements address long-standing challenges faced by GPs, including time constraints and inadequate funding, which have historically limited comprehensive women’s health care delivery.
The investment in training for IUDs and contraceptive implants is another vital component of this initiative, equipping more GPs to provide these services effectively. Dr. Wadhwani notes that the Evoca model prioritises GP-led, holistic care, with trained practitioners working alongside allied health professionals to support women through various stages of their lives.
With the expansion of Evoca clinics from one to 43 nationally and an expectation that 75% will eventually adopt bulk billing, Dr Wadhwani believes there is a significant opportunity for GPs interested in women’s health to upskill and serve women who have previously delayed care due to costs. Dr. Wadhwani emphasises that addressing women’s health has far-reaching effects on families and communities, creating a compelling call to action for clinicians to embrace these new incentives.
Source: Adapted from transcript
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Dental marketing insights from leading authority
Winning the Australian Dental Industry Award for Marketing has had a big impact to Dental Marketing Solutions. As Angus comments in closing, “Receiving the award is social proof to say, well, these guys must know something, because an independent body of their peers has assessed them and said”. He added, “Certainly it’s been good in terms of building our business.”
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Forum fosters dialogue in breast cancer
In October 2024, the Frazier Institute hosted an event dedicated to breast cancer advocacy and research, supported by TRI (Translational Research Institute), National Breast Cancer Foundation, PA Research Foundation, Health Translation Queensland, QUT and The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine/Frazer Institute.
The key aim of the event co-organised by Associate Professor Joy Wolfram, Group Leader, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology & School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland was to foster dialogue between breast cancer lived experience advocates (consumers), researchers, and clinicians.
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Continuity of Care under COVID-19
Series 3, Episode 1
Under the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Healthcare system has handled the public health crisis by monitoring and responding to challenges in supply chains, testing & tracing of new infections and stock piling of essential equipment.
The public has largely responded by practising social distancing, understanding how hand hygiene can spread contagion and recently installing the COVIDSafe mobile application. Public health messaging has been largely effective and literacy improve, to combat the dangers of misinformation.
To open up access to medical advice during the pandemic, in March the Australian government issued MBS item codes for telehealth consultations, for advanced practice nurses as well as GPs and other specialists.
According to AMA President Dr Tony Bartone, as of mid-May 2020, around 10 million Medicare-funded telehealth services have been provided, either over the phone or via video, a significant majority of which have been provided by GPs and other specialists since the Medicare telehealth items were introduced in March.
However in recent months, the health system has mounting concerns on:
- a reduction in general practice visits for testing, investigation or immunisation
- lower rates of elective procedures resuming since being halted
- reduction in laboratory testing
- reduction in treatments and diagnosis of chronic and acute conditions
- access to, and continuing to take medications
Those with pre-existing conditions have been urged to keep appointments and routine treatments to maintain their health.
Industry has taken action such as the newly formed Continuity of Care Collaboration (CCC). The 15 health organisations forming CCC are an Australian first national communication collaboration of Peak Bodies, Industry and Healthcare Organisations coming together to stress the importance for people to continue monitoring their health and maintaining their regular care.
This Australian Health Journal episode on the continuity of care was produced with commentary from the following health industry associations and organisations: APNA – Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association, RACGP, Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA), West Cessnock Medical Practice, Consumers Health Forum of Australia, Medicines Australia
