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Living with COVID – Positive Case Home Visit Program
- Funding available to manage people affected by COVID-19
- Also includes home visits to RACF residents
NQPHN is providing funding on a per visit basis to general practices (GPs) and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) to provide home visits as clinically required to those people isolating as a result of being affected by COVID-19.
This also includes home visits to Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) residents.
Note: This funding only applies to GPs and ACCHOs which are actively managing COVID-19 positive cases.
This program is focused on reducing hospitalisations and allowing people to actively engage in their own health management plan supported by a health care professional via an in-home visit arrangement.
This program is to assist those people affected by COVID-19 who are being managed in their home or in a RACF by their GP, where a home visit will support the patient's management in relation to COVID-19, or can relate to other health conditions which cannot reasonably be delayed while the patient is isolating (e.g. injury, wound dressing). Further details on eligibility criteria can be found in this FAQ document.
This program does not replace GP telehealth support and monitoring for COVID-19.
GP clinics can engage their practice nurses, nurse practitioners or Indigenous Health Workers to provide the home visits in this model. Home visits by GPs are funded by the MBS and are not claimable under this program.
All home visits delivered in this program occur under the clinical governance of the general practice, and ensure continuity of care while maintaining the integrity of established referral and escalation pathways.
The clinic will be paid a $250 (GST exc.) fee for each visit, however the practice is unable to claim an MBS Medicare rebate on top of this. This fee includes an amount for reporting requirements to be met. Payment will be provided on submission of a fortnightly invoice, including a report on a template provided by NQPHN. Read the FAQs for further details.
Practices which provide care to COVID positive patients are eligible to access PPE from the National Medical Stockpile via NQPHN. Orders for PPE can be placed via the NQPHN PPE Request Form.
Find out more information on PPE ordering here.
What to do next
- Read the below documents under 'Further information' to understand your obligations under the Living with COVID | Positive Case – Commissioned Home Visits
- Email your invoices for payment on the 15th and 30th of each month, along with any reporting requirements, to the NQPHN Preparedness and Response team at preparednessandresponse@nqphn.com.au
Further information
Patients who test positive for COVID-19 and are deemed low risk by Queensland Health may also call GPs requesting reassurance or advice about what to do. You can direct them to:
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Queensland Health's report a positive rapid antigen test
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what to do next if you become positive
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the first steps if you have COVD-19
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RACGP guide to managing COVID-19 at home.
Your patients may ask you what to do to prepare. You can direct them to:
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Queensland Health's Get COVID-Ready website
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putting together a COVID-Ready kit
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creating a COVID-19 care plan for adults and for parents/carers of children
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COVID-19 symptom diary
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where to get help, and
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Health Direct's symptom checker.
General practices are being asked to focus on care for people with moderate risk.
People triaged as moderate risk through the National Coronavirus Helpline and COVID-19 symptom checker are advised to seek care from their GP. The vast majority of care will be delivered by telehealth.
GPs should refer to their local HealthPathways for up-to-date information on the clinical management of these patients, including escalation pathways if people deteriorate and referral to disease modifying treatments such as monoclonal antibodies.
Access Northern Queensland PHN HealthPathways.
Don't have a login for HealthPathways? Register using the above link.
Queensland Health has updated the state-wide COVID-19 model of care (COVID-19 care pathways). The pathway includes an expanded virtual care model, expanded triage system for people with symptoms of COVID-19, and an online COVID care self checker. Consumers will be risk stratified to identify the most appropriate care pathway for them. The pathways are:
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Get well at home.
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Get COVID-19 care at home under the supervision of a GP or health worker.
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Get COVID-19 care at home from a virtual hospital.
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Be admitted to a COVID-19 hospital ward.
COVID-19 escalation pathway
The COVID-19 escalation pathway diagram has been published on the Queensland Health COVID Information for primary care web page.
The Department of Health has extended the healthdirect Video Call COVID-19 GP Program to 30 June 2022.
We encourage you to continue using this secure video consulting platform which has been purpose-built for primary care settings.
For GPs wishing to use this service please select below:
Until 30 June 2022, a temporary Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item has been made available to support medical practitioners providing clinically relevant treatment to COVID-19 positive people.
The Taskforce works to provide the best COVID-19 evidence that supports clinicians to provide the best possible care for Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Taskforce undertakes continuous evidence surveillance to identify and rapidly synthesise emerging research in order to provide national, evidence-based guidelines for the clinical care of people with COVID-19.
The Queensland Government has produced a community recovery document which outlines support available for people who are in COVID-19 quarantine, including:
- Vulnerable people in hotel or home quarantine who have no other means of support, can access assistance by calling the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.
- People in quarantine can access the wellbeing resources which includes daily activities and helpful information and contact details for a range of supports and services.
- A comprehensive community service directory listing support contacts for COVID-19, general and mental health, as well as other practical services and support.
- Brochures containing a range of local and general community support services are available to individuals and their families across Queensland.
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