For invited clinicians

You've been invited to a case conference

A GP who shares the care of one of your patients would like your input — one short, secure video discussion to bring the patient's care team onto the same page.

What is a case conference?

Real-time multidisciplinary dialogue

A case conference is a multidisciplinary meeting between a patient's GP and the other clinicians involved in their care — specialists, consultant physicians, and allied and mental health practitioners — to coordinate care for a patient with complex or chronic conditions.

Unlike letters and referrals, a case conference is real-time dialogue — shared decision-making and a cohesive treatment plan, without requiring the patient to attend or be referred externally.

The goal: ensure every aspect of a patient's health is addressed in a coordinated way — improving continuity of care and reducing system strain.

Why you've been invited

A GP would like to coordinate the care of a patient you share

A patient with complex needs whose treatment you are involved in is being treated by several clinicians. Their GP is drawing that team together for a short, structured discussion — to agree on a single coordinated plan, or to review progress toward agreed goals.

Patient has consented

The patient has agreed to the discussion (but does not typically attend). Consent to discuss their care — and to bill Medicare for it — is obtained before the conference is confirmed.

Nothing to prepare

The GP presents the patient and leads the discussion. They are not asking you to take anything on — they are asking for fifteen minutes of your clinical judgement.

No ongoing commitment

Accepting one invitation commits you to one discussion only. There is no obligation to join future conferences — though you are welcome to.

The evidence

Better care, backed by research

Studies consistently show that when care teams meet like this, patients' problems are picked up earlier, care plans work better, and hospital visits go down.

93%

of Australian patients in a recent study believe case conferences had a positive effect on their care.

Across many health settings, research consistently shows case conferences:

  • Ensure patient problems are properly identified
  • Generate more effective care plans
  • Enhance clinical decision-making
  • Reduce hospitalisations & ED presentations
  • Improve symptom management and quality of life
  • Reduce overall healthcare costs

What to expect

Three steps — accept, join, bill

Everything else — scheduling, consent, documentation and Medicare compliance — is handled for you.

1

Accept the invitation

You receive an invitation with the proposed time and patient context. Accept the ones that suit your schedule — decline or ignore the rest.

2

Join the discussion

Join the secure video conference from any device, anywhere. Share your clinical perspective — the GP leads the discussion, and the platform captures documentation in real time.

3

Bill Medicare

Conference.care logs the duration, participants and the correct MBS item number with a full audit trail — so claiming is straightforward through your usual channels.

Billing

You receive a dedicated MBS rebate

Case-conference participation is covered by specific MBS item numbers. The record-keeping is done for you — Conference.care captures the documentation and supports your Medicare claim.

Specialists and consultant physicians

Duration MBS benefit Item
15 min $103.15 825
30 min $164.55 826
45 min $225.90 828

Allied and mental health practitioners

Duration MBS benefit Item
15 min $49.75 10955
20 min $85.30 10957
40 min $141.85 10959

Figures shown are 85% MBS benefit amounts. The discussion is bulk billed to the patient. Amounts are indicative — not financial or clinical advice.

Like the idea?

Case conferencing can become a regular part of your practice

Conference.care facilitates GP-led conferences at 20+ Australian practices every week. Join the network to receive regular invitations — it's free, and attendance is always optional.

References

  1. King MA, Roberts MS. Multidisciplinary case conference reviews: improving outcomes for nursing home residents, carers and health professionals. Pharmacy World & Science. 2001;23(2):41–5. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1011215008000
  2. Agar M, Luckett T, Luscombe G, Phillips J, Beattie E, Pond D, et al. Effects of facilitated family case conferencing for advanced dementia: a cluster randomised clinical trial. PLoS ONE. 2017;12(8):e0181020. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181020
  3. Shelby-James T, Currow D, Phillips P, Williams H, Abernethy A. Promoting patient centred palliative care through case conferencing. Australian Family Physician. 2007;36(11):961–3. Available from: https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/200711/20754
  4. Phillips JL, West PA, Davidson PM, Agar M. Does case conferencing for people with advanced dementia living in nursing homes improve care outcomes: evidence from an integrative review? International Journal of Nursing Studies. 2012;50(8):1122–35. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2012.11.001
  5. Shelby-James T, Butow P, Davison G, Currow D. Case conferences in palliative care: a substudy of a cluster randomised controlled trial. Australian Family Physician. 2012;41(8):608–12.
  6. Vest JR, Blackburn J, Yeager VA, Haut DP, Halverson PK. Primary care-based case conferences and reductions in health care utilization. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. 2021;32(3):1288–1300. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2021.0132
  7. Reuther S, Dichter MN, Büscher I, Vollmar HC, Holle D, Bartholomeyczik S, et al. Case conferences as interventions dealing with the challenging behavior of people with dementia in nursing homes: a systematic review. International Psychogeriatrics. 2012;24(12):1891–1903. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1017/s1041610212001342
  8. Mitchell G, Del Mar C, O'Rourke P, Clavarino A. Do case conferences between general practitioners and specialist palliative care services improve quality of life? A randomised controlled trial. Palliative Medicine. 2008;22(8):904–12. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216308096721
  9. Hollingworth S, Zhang J, Vaikuntam BP, Jackson C, Mitchell G. Case conference primary-secondary care planning at end of life can reduce the cost of hospitalisations. BMC Palliative Care. 2016;15(1). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-016-0157-9

Ready to contribute to better patient care?

Accept your invitation and join a short, secure case conference — or sign up to the network to receive regular invitations. No cost, no commitment.