Patterns of delivery of dietetic care in private practice for patients referred under Medicare Chronic Disease Management: results of a national survey.

A national survey was used to examine patterns of delivery of dietetic care for patients referred to private practitioners under Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM). This asked dietitians about referrals from general practitioners, patient management, fees charged and patient billing. There were 356 (47%) Australian private practice dietitians who responded to the questionnaire; 330 (94%) were Medicare providers. They described a counselling-type service and inability to complete initial patient education within funded consultation time. Many provided a longer consultation than was reported as being funded by Medicare. Fees for initial appointments were generally higher than the scheduled Medical Benefit Scheme fee of AU$56.25 (median $80), requiring patients to pay a fee gap. For review appointments, two of every five dietitians bulk-billed or charged an identical fee ($47.85). Providers communicated by written reports (as required under Medicare policy). There was little evidence of team-based chronic care management. The dietetics Medicare CDM process should mirror other counselling-type Medicare services which provide for both longer and more frequent consultations and higher payment. System integration between dietitians and general practitioners is required to achieve true collaboration and team care of chronic disease patients.