In 2022, one in two Australians had at least one chronic condition, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. If that includes you, you know how quickly appointments, tests and medicine checks can pile up.
From 1 November 2026, a chronic disease management plan can be prepared or reviewed by phone. That may make regular care easier to fit into your week. A new Medicare Healthy Kids Check for 3-year-olds also starts on the same day.
Read more to learn about both.
What Is a Chronic Disease Management Plan Today?
You may know it as a GP management plan. Since 1 July 2025, one GP chronic condition management plan has replaced the older plan and team care arrangement. Many people still use the older names, but the idea is the same.
It is a written plan you create with your GP. It covers your health goals, your medicines and the people who support your care. Plans are for conditions that have lasted, or are likely to last, six months or longer. Your GP decides whether a plan suits you.
What Changes on 1 November?
Two Medicare changes begin on 1 November 2026, as listed in the MBS Online update. Here they are at a glance:
| Phone plans and reviews | Medicare Healthy Kids Check | |
| What’s new | A GP can prepare or review a plan by phone | A health assessment for 3-year-olds |
| Who it’s for | Existing patients with a chronic condition | Medicare-eligible 3-year-olds, once per child |
| At our clinic | Ask our reception team about a phone appointment | Face to face, booked by calling reception |
Is a Phone Consultation GP Review Right for You?
Your GP will be the one to decide whether a phone appointment suits you. However, many reviews are a conversation about how you’re going, so a call can work well. The RACGP has welcomed the change, noting that reviews in particular can suit remote care where it is appropriate.
Some visits will still happen in person. Examples include needing an examination or a test, or noticing new symptoms. At Bomaderry Creek Health Centre, all of our GPs will offer phone plans and reviews. As with other phone consultations here, they are available to existing patients.
Your Phone Review Checklist
A little preparation helps your GP make the most of your call. Try these steps:
- Choose a quiet, private space and keep your phone close because your GP will call you at the booked time.
- Have your current medicines list ready, including any supplements.
- Note your home readings, such as blood pressure or blood glucose, if you take them.
- Gather recent test results and any specialist letters.
- Write down your questions and anything that has changed since your last visit.
When the call ends, jot down what your GP recommends so you know what comes next.
The New Healthy Kids Check for 3-Year-Olds
If your household includes a 3-year-old, there’s a new option for you, too. The Medicare Healthy Kids Check starts on 1 November 2026 as part of the Government’s Thriving Kids initiative. It aims to notice developmental delay or neurodevelopmental differences early and connect families with support. Each Medicare-eligible child can have it once.
During the 3-year-old health check, your GP talks with you about your child’s health, behaviour and milestones. They also ask about family life, sleep, food and toilet habits.
A basic physical check will cover eyesight, hearing, teeth and gums, height and weight. Once done, your GP will give you advice, can arrange referrals if needed, and will offer you a written report.
At our clinic, the check is a face-to-face appointment. Please call our reception team on (02) 4413 2325 to book, as it can’t be booked online. Our children’s healthcare page has more on care for little ones.
When to See a GP
Don’t wait for a scheduled review if something changes. Book a visit if:
- You have new or worsening symptoms, or your condition feels harder to control
- You have questions about your medicines or possible side effects
- You’re worried about your child’s speech, behaviour, hearing or vision
- Your child has lost a skill they once had
NSW Health’s 3-year checklist can help you decide what to raise. In an emergency, such as chest pain or severe difficulty breathing, call 000.
Staying on Top of Your Family’s Health, One Appointment at a Time
From 1 November 2026, a chronic disease management plan can be prepared or reviewed by phone. Three-year-olds can also have the new Medicare Healthy Kids Check in person. Together, these changes may make regular care a little easier to fit around family life.
If you live with a long-term condition, read more about our chronic disease management service. You can also see how GPs support long-term care. When you’re ready, call our reception team on (02) 4413 2325. They can arrange a phone appointment or your child’s check.
Prefer to come in? Book online for an in-person visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Can Have a Phone Review at Bomaderry Creek Health Centre?
From 1 November, all of our GPs will offer phone appointments to prepare and review plans for existing patients. Your GP will decide whether a phone appointment suits your situation.
Call our reception team on (02) 4413 2325 to ask about booking one.
Is a GP Management Plan the Same as a Chronic Disease Management Plan?
They’re closely linked, but they aren’t the same thing. Chronic disease management was the name of the Medicare approach to long-term care. A GP management plan was one plan within it.
Since 1 July 2025, one plan has replaced the older plans, including the team care arrangement. It is called the GP chronic condition management plan. Many people still use the old names, and your GP can explain which one applies to you.
Will Every Review Be Done by Phone?
No. Your GP decides what suits you, and some reviews are better in person. An examination or test is one example. Your GP can also review your plan every three months if clinically needed. That means your care may be a mix of phone and in-person visits.
How Do I Book the Healthy Kids Check for My Child?
Please call our reception team on (02) 4413 2325. The check is a face-to-face appointment, and it can’t be booked online. Our team can also answer questions when you call, so it’s a good time to ask what to bring.
Are These Appointments Bulk Billed?
Bomaderry Creek Health Centre bulk bills all services, except procedures such as iron infusions and private medicals. If you’re unsure which group your appointment falls into, our reception team can confirm before you book. You can call them on (02) 4413 2325 with any questions.