12 NEWS
12 NEWS
20 MARCH 2026 ausdoc. com. au
COPD
?†
ASTHMA
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THINK TRIMBOW
† 1 beclometasone / formoterol / glycopyrronium
DVA ups payments for doctors by 35 %
It is also launching a compliance crackdown.
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† Trimbow( BDP / FF / G) 100 / 6 / 10 and 200 / 6 / 10 are indicated for maintenance treatment in adults with asthma not adequately controlled with a maintenance combination of medium dose or high dose ICS / LABA respectively, and who experienced ≥1 exacerbation( s) in the previous year. 1 Trimbow 100 / 6 / 10 is indicated in adults with moderate to severe COPD who are not adequately treated by ICS / LABA or LABA / LAMA. 1
The only extrafine * triple therapy PBS listed for severe adult asthma in 2 strengths and COPD( 100 / 6 / 10). 2
* Mass median aerodynamic diameter < 2 µ m. 1
Jamie Thannoo THE Federal Government has increased its payments to doctors for vet erans’ compensation claims by 35 % while increasing its funding for completing forms from $ 14.70 to $ 22.55 per page. However, it is also launching a compliance crackdown. The crackdown will target rorts, including doctors attempting to charge more than the fees on offer, as well as third parties soliciting doctors to write reports to secure unjustified compensation claims.
February’ s fee increases mean GPs can now get $ 49.90 for an in-clinic consultation of less than 20 minutes or $ 141.35 for a consultation of more than 40 minutes.
“ This represents a substantial increase in the amounts payable for these reports since the last official update,” a government spokesperson said.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs( DVA) is also examining new options for doctors to charge above the DVA fee in“ exceptional circumstances”— currently, doctors must charge the DVA fee to access the rebates.
But in new compliance guidance, the DVA warns that doctors should only write reports at the DVA’ s request.
‘ This represents a substantial increase.’
“ Payment for work completed without a request from DVA is not guaranteed,” the guidance says.
“ The department will NOT pay for medical reports which are requested by other parties, including veterans or former members of the Australian Defence Force, their advocates, solicitors or dependants.”
The DVA previously warned that patient“ advocates” were encouraging unnecessary claims and charging commissions on them, with veterans“ deceived into undergoing unnecessary medical examinations, resulting in significant risks to their health”.
The latest guidance adds that telehealth consultations are“ generally not appropriate” for compensation claims.
“ Telehealth is not appropriate where a hands‐on physical examination is necessary to assess mobility, strength or functional capacity, or to evaluate objective clinical findings such as range of motion, reflexes or gait,” a department spokesperson said.
“ In‐person assessment is also generally preferable where multiple conditions are involved or where unexpected or complex impairment may be present.”
AMA Queensland said the new fees were still unacceptable compared with how Queensland’ s WorkCover compensated doctors.
It also complained to Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh last year that the DVA’ s compliance approach was unnecessarily menacing, including issuing threats of police investigation for doctors who charged above the DVA fee schedule.
Updated compensation claims for DVA-requested information
DVA item
Description
Previous fee( before GST)
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh.
New fee( before GST)
DCC01 In-clinic consultation, less than 20 minutes $ 37.10 $ 49.90 DCC02 In-clinic consultation, 20-40 minutes $ 71.80 $ 96.56 DCC03 In-clinic consultation, more than 40 minutes $ 105.10 $ 141.35 DCC04 Home or hospital visit, less than 40 minutes $ 97.70 $ 131.40 DCC05 Home or hospital visit, more than 40 minutes $ 131.60 $ 176.99
Completion of DVA medical report forms, medical impairment assessment forms, diagnostic reports and capacity for work / rehabilitation forms
$ 14.70 per page
$ 22.55 per page
DCN01 A brief record of an individual’ s treatment $ 29.95 $ 40.28
DCN02 A brief record of an individual’ s treatment, with copies of specialist reports and / or test results
DCN03
DCN04
A more comprehensive record of an individual’ s treatment, with copies of specialist reports and / or test results
A detailed record of an individual’ s treatment, together with copies of specialist reports and / or test results
$ 69 $ 92.80
$ 93.40 $ 125.61
$ 162 $ 217.87
PBS Information: Trimbow Authority required( STREAMLINED). Severe asthma. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease( 100 / 6 / 10 mcg presentation only). Criteria Apply. Refer to PBS for full information. Please review Product Information before prescribing. Product Information is available by scanning the QR code.
Abbreviations: COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; ICS: inhaled corticosteroid; LABA: long-acting beta 2 agonist; LAMA: long-acting muscarinic antagonist; PBS: Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. References: 1. Approved Trimbow Product Information. 2. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. pbs. gov. au. Chiesi Australia Pty Ltd. Level 7, Suite 1, 500 Bourke Street Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Tel: + 61 3 9077 4486; Email: medinfo. au @ chiesi. com. Copyright © Chiesi 2025. All rights reserved. Date of preparation: Nov 2025. AU-TRI-2500089. CHIE000263
RACP president-elect drops bullying case
Jamie Thannoo THE president-elect of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians has dropped her Fair Work Commission case that accused senior figures within the college of bullying.
Dr Sharmila Chandran started the proceedings almost a year ago, naming current college president Professor Jennifer Martin,
CEO Steffen Faurby and New Zealand physician and former college director Dr John O’ Donnell as defendants.
But in February, the commission told Dr Chandran it did not expect the proceedings to conclude before May, when Professor Martin’ s presidential term ends and the two no longer have to work together, meaning a resolution was unnecessary.
This prompted Dr Chandran to drop the case.
The case had alleged that Dr Chandran had faced racist comments, was shouted at and regularly muted in board meetings and came under pressure to resign— claims rejected by the defendants.