Karen's Key Tips and Practice Tricks
If you have any feedback, ideas for tips or need assistance contact Karen at Karen.Bolch@wellsouth.org.nz.
18 June 2025 - General Medical Services (GMS) explained
What is GMS?
GMS are subsidies paid to general practices under the Section 88 notice to help reduce patient fees for children and subsidy card holders for standard consults.
When can a GP or NP claim for GMS
A GP or NP can claim a subsidy if the casual patient is:
• A child or young person aged 17 years or under, or
• A Community Services Card holder, or
• A High Use Health Card holder
Claiming GMS and Immunisation on the same day by the same provider
As long as a full consultation unrelated to the immunisation was undertaken with the patient, then both services
can be claimed. You may not claim GMS if you have only assessed and immunised the patient and did not provide
any other unrelated services.
Claiming GMS and ACC for the same patient from a single consult
If a patient is seen by a doctor and the patient has 2 completely separate complaints, 1 accident related, 1
medical problem, then the doctor can make 2 claims. The 2 problems must be quite separate and each must be
worthy of a full consultation, with distinctly separate supporting clinical notes.
Making multiple GMS claims
As long as full and separate consultations were given then multiple claims can be made. Multiple claims cannot be
made for 1 lengthy consultation or a consultation that covered a number of different issues. The patient must be
treated at different times during the day.
GMS Fees as of 5 June 2025
Casual Patient Fee per Consult (excl GST)
A child under 6 years of age $31.11
A child or young person aged 6-17 yrs who is dependent of a CSC holder $17.78
A child or young person aged 6-17 yrs who is dependent of a HUHC holder $17.78
A child or young person aged 6-17 yrs who is not the dependent of a CSC & HUHC holder $13.33
A person aged 18 yrs or over who holds a CSC $13.33
A person aged 18 yrs or over who holds a HUHC $13.33
GMS Error Messages
Call the Sector Operations Contact Centre on 0800 855 066.
NB: Contracted Providers must ensure that if General Medical Services are provided for which a Claim is or will
be made, the Health Practitioner encourages the patient to return to the contracted provider with whom the
patient is enrolled.
Resource Link
General Medical Services claim
Click here to read more/print pdf.
4 June 2025 - Retention of patient records and confidentiality
Patient health information is highly confidential and must always be handled with care, even after a patient has left the medical centre or is deceased.
Printable pdf here with links to further information.