Welcome to our Spring Newsletter! This month, we’re excited to bring you more important updates and medical information. We’ll be discussing the details of MyMedicare (have you enrolled yet?) our practice fees, and the Medicare safety net. As September marked Women’s Health Week, it’s a great time to ensure you’re up to date with your health checks with some great resources available from Jean Hailes. Are you aware that bowel screening tests, are now available for those aged 45 to 49 and if you’re 65 or older, you might be eligible for a government funded shingles vaccine. During September, team YFD counted their steps again for our annual “Move Against Cancer” fundraiser.
MY MEDICARE
Your Family Doctors at Erina has joined thousands of healthcare providers across Australia in registering in MyMedicare, a new voluntary registration system that will help us formalise the relationship between us and our patients.
If you hold a valid Medicare or Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veteran card and have been to see us in person twice over the last 24 months, you’re now eligible to register in MyMedicare.
By registering in MyMedicare you can access benefits such as longer funded telehealth consultations with our practice.
For more information, chat to us at your next appointment, read our blog or visit health.gov.au/MyMedicare.
https://yourfamilydoctors.com.au/we-registered-for-my-medicare-now-you-can-too/
PRACTICE FEES AND PAYROLL TAX
Your Family Doctors is a private billing practice.
To continue to provide high quality health care we need to charge a fee above the Medicare rebate. Unfortunately, the Medicare rebate set by the government has not kept up with inflation and the rising costs of providing medical services. The Medicare rebate of $42 for a consult less than 20 minutes equates to less than 50% of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommended fee of $102. As we are a private business with staff, equipment and rent to pay, it is not sustainable to bulk bill. This includes telehealth consultations.
To push the financial stability of General Practice further the government are imposing an additional payroll tax levy from 1st September 2024 that has never been imposed before. To maintain our operations, we will need to raise our fees.. To learn more about the impact of the new payroll tax levy on General Practice go to https://yourfamilydoctors.com.au/impact-of-the-new-payroll-tax-levy-on-general-practices/
If you are a family with high medical needs, you may reach your safety net, which means your rebate will become higher, dramatically reducing out-of-pocket expenses. It is recommended all family members are on the same Medicare card to ensure all transactions contribute to your total. Click here To find out more about the medicare safety net,
If you are concerned about the out-of-pocket cost of your medical care, we encourage you to join us in advocating for better Government funding of Medicare and higher rebates for patients. We remain committed to supporting those families in considerable financial distress.
GP Management plans, GP Management plan reviews, and health assessments will continue to be bulk billed, depending on eligibility.
Thank you so much for your understanding, and please show kindness to our team.
ENTRY TO YFD CAR PARK
As most of our patients are aware, entry to the Your Family Doctors car park is accessible only via Terrigal Drive, while the exit is through the back of Tarragal Glen. Please note that due to ongoing building works at Tarragal Glen, traffic controllers may be managing traffic in the area. It is crucial that you do not attempt to enter through the exit, and you must only use the Tarragal Glen road as an exit. Thank you for your understanding.
WOMEN’S HEALTH WEEK
We were proud to join thousands of people across the country to support Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week from 2 to 6 September 2024. This year’s theme celebrates the power of women’s choice and voice. It will lift the lid on shame and raise the voice of women who feel unheard. By providing free, practical health information and advice, Jean Hailes arms women with the tips, tools and confidence to talk about their health concerns. This year, new women’s health resources have been released, including a nutrition guide, fact sheets, checklists and information on how to talk to your doctor.
For more information visit https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/ or https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/womens-health-week
For the Jean Hailes guide to women’s health go to ….https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/resources/your-guide-to-womens-health-booklet
BOWEL CANCER SCREENING
Bowel cancer is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer and around 15,500 Aussies are diagnosed with the disease every year. From 1 July 2024, 1.6 million Australians aged 45 to 49 will be able to join the Australian Government’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
Bowel cancer can develop without a family history of the disease and often without signs and symptoms. This free test can find traces of blood in your poo that may indicate the presence of cancer or pre-cancerous polyps. Catching it early is key. If found early, over 90% of bowel cancers can be successfully treated. So do the test when you receive it in the mail or order one for free.
From 1 July 2024, the eligible screening age will be lowered from 50 to 45. This means people aged 45 to 49 can join the program.
- People aged 45 to 49 can request their first bowel cancer screening kit be mailed to them.
- People aged 50 to 74 will continue to receive a bowel cancer screening kit in the mail every 2 years.
To request a kit, go to;https://www.ncsr.gov.au/information-for-participants/order-a-replacement-bowel-test-kit/
People with signs, symptoms, or a family history of bowel cancer, should talk with a doctor before screening with the program.
SHINGLES VACCINATION PROGRAM
Shingles (also called herpes zoster) is the disease caused when the chickenpox virus reactivates. Shingles can cause severe pain that can last for months. Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect yourself from serious disease caused by shingles.
Government funded ‘Shingrix’ replaced Zostavax on the National Immunisation Program on 1st November 2023.
The vaccine comprises of a two-dose schedule given 2 to 6 months apart or 1 -2 months apart in people immunocompromised.
Those eligible for a funded Shingrix vaccine include;
- Those over 65 years
- Aboriginal an Torress Strait Islanders from 50 years
- Eligible people 18 years and over considered at increased risk of herpes zoster due to an underlying condition and/or immunomodulatory/ immunosuppressive treatment.
Funded Shingrix will not be available for those who have had a funded Zostavax in the past 5 years.
Shingrix can be given to patients who have previously had shingles. A 12-month interval is recommended.
Eligible patients can book with our practice nurse to receive your Shingrix vaccine.
For more information …. https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/vaccines/shingles-herpes-zoster-immunisation-service
Go4Fun NSW HEALTH PROGRAM
Go4Fun is a free, 10-week healthy lifestyle program open to children aged 7 to 13 and their families.
It runs once a week from 4–6pm with a program starting at:
- Lake Haven Recreation Centre on Tuesday 15th October
- The Entrance Community Centre on Wednesday 16th October
- Gosford Olympic Pool on Thursday the 17th of October
Run by trained health professionals, Go4Fun provides a fun environment for children to get active, make new friends and build self-esteem, all while learning about eating well, staying active and living a healthy life. NSW Health has recently expanded the criteria, meaning the program is now open to all kids and their families aged 7 to 13 years (with the exception of children below a healthy weight).
Kids take part in group activities and games, and receive rewards and prizes, while parents benefit from professional tailored advice to help make positive health changes for the whole family. Results from the 2022–23 financial year saw participants achieve a 62% improvement in daily vegetable consumption, 75% improvement in reducing frequency of sweet snack food consumption, and a 67% improvement in days of moderate to vigorous activity.
To sign up go to the Go4Fun website at go4fun.com.au or call 1800 780 900
STAFF NEWS
OLYMPICS FEVER
During the Olympics, YFD turned green & gold, in support of the Australian Olympic Team We must admit – Team YFD is a bit Olympics obsessed – setting our alarms for the early hours of the morning to watch our athletes achieve their dreams!
Did you know that our very own Dr Nat participated in archery in the paralympics in 2000 and 2004 (so her green and gold attire are the real deal!)
MOVE AGAINST CANCER
Move against cancer returned again this September to raise much needed funds for the Cancer Council Central Coast
The #MoveAgainstCancer step challenge encouraged participants to join up in teams and record their number of steps over the whole month.
Emergency doctor Ash Bowden, also known as Dr Do More, says: “It’s such a simple, achievable challenge for people to participate in. When asked ‘How do I get more active?’ the best answer is to start with a walk.”
The challenge started on September 1st and finished 30th September.
Your Family Doctors has entered again this year, to practice what they preach and keep active. ‘Team YFD’ were very competitive again this year, and althought the final tally isn’t in yet, they are presently in 3rd place!
To sponsor team YFD to help raise money for the Cancer Council go to ….
http://domoresteps.com/events/moveagainstcancer-2024/teams/team-yfd-
Thanks for reading our Spring Newsletter – keep healthy, and we will be back in a few months with more news. In the meantime, like us on facebook or instagram to keep up to date with the important health information and to see what the YFD team has been up to. Our website is also a great source of information, so please check out our blog for health information written by our team. Stay well.
Love Team YFD xx