GP Management Plans and Team Care Arrangements were older Medicare care-plan terms used for chronic condition management in general practice. From 1 July 2025, both were replaced by a single framework called the GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
Patients may still see the older terms online, in past paperwork, on old referral letters, or in conversations with allied health providers. If you have come across these terms and are unsure what they mean now, this guide explains the difference, what changed, and what to ask your GP.
What Was a GP Management Plan?
A GP Management Plan was a written plan created by a GP for a patient with a long-term health condition. It recorded the patient’s condition, agreed health goals, treatment steps, and when reviews should happen.
The plan was managed by the GP and focused on organising ongoing care for one or more chronic conditions. It was sometimes called a GPMP.
Under the current Medicare system, new GP Management Plans are no longer prepared. The GP Chronic Condition Management Plan has taken their place. Eligibility for current plans depends on GP assessment and Medicare requirements.
What Was a Team Care Arrangement?
A Team Care Arrangement was used when a patient’s ongoing care involved multiple health or care providers working together. It set out which providers were involved and how they would coordinate the patient’s treatment.
For many patients, a Team Care Arrangement sat alongside a GP Management Plan. Together, they supported access to MBS-assisted allied health referrals such as physiotherapy, podiatry, or dietetics, where clinically appropriate.
A Team Care Arrangement was sometimes called a TCA. Like GP Management Plans, new TCAs are no longer prepared under the current system.
GP Management Plan vs Team Care Arrangement: What Was the Difference?
Under the older system, each term had a different focus. Patients often had both at the same time.
| Term | What it focused on | Simple patient meaning |
| GP Management Plan | The patient’s chronic condition, goals, treatment steps, and GP-led care | The written plan for managing the condition |
| Team Care Arrangement | Coordination with other health providers involved in the patient’s care | The team-based part when other professionals were involved |
In practice, many patients did not notice a clear distinction. Both plans were usually discussed and prepared during the same GP appointment, and the GP handled the paperwork for both.
What Term Is Used Now?
The current Medicare term is the GP Chronic Condition Management Plan. It replaced both GP Management Plans and Team Care Arrangements from 1 July 2025.
The key changes include:
- A single plan framework replaced two separate documents.
- The GP still assesses the patient’s needs and prepares the plan.
- Coordinated care with other providers is still supported where clinically appropriate.
- Patients may still hear “care plan” or “chronic disease management plan” in everyday clinic language.
In day-to-day conversations, your GP or reception staff may simply call it a care plan. The underlying Medicare framework is what changed, not the purpose of the plan itself.
For more information about how the current system works, the clinic’s chronic disease management page explains what support may be available for eligible patients.
What If You Already Had a GPMP or TCA?
Transition arrangements apply for plans that were in place before 1 July 2025. Patients with an existing GP Management Plan or Team Care Arrangement may continue to access eligible services that are consistent with those plans during the
Patients with an existing GP Management Plan or Team Care Arrangement may continue to access eligible services that are consistent with those plans until 1 July 2027. After that date, a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan may be needed for ongoing access to relevant services.
This does not mean old paperwork stays current forever. Depending on your care needs, your GP may recommend moving to a current GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
If you are unsure about your situation:
- Do not assume old paperwork no longer matters.
- Do not assume it will remain valid indefinitely.
- Ask your GP whether a current plan is needed for your ongoing care.
Does This Affect Allied Health Referrals?
GP care plans can support allied health referrals where clinically appropriate, but referrals are not automatic under either the old or new system.
From 1 July 2025, new allied health referrals follow updated referral requirements. Referrals written before that date can continue until the services covered by that referral have been delivered. Any new referral should meet current requirements, regardless of whether it relates to an older plan or a new GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
Your GP can explain how referrals apply to your individual care.
Do You Need to Know the Exact Term Before Booking?
You do not need to memorise Medicare terminology before speaking with your GP. If you have an ongoing health condition or old care-plan paperwork, you can ask to discuss a care plan for a long-term condition. A GP can explain what applies to your situation during a chronic disease management appointment.
Reception staff or your GP can help direct you to the right appointment type, even if you use an older term, even if you use an older term.
You do not need to know every Medicare term before speaking with your GP. If you have an ongoing condition or old care-plan paperwork, a GP can explain what applies to your situation during a chronic disease management appointment.
How This Connects With Eligibility and Benefits
This article explains terminology. If you want to understand whether your condition may be suitable for a current care plan, the article on conditions that may qualify for a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan covers eligibility in detail.
If you want to understand how a care plan may help with ongoing care, reviews, and allied health support, the article on the benefits of a GP Chronic Disease Management Plan explains this further.
What Should Patients Ask Their GP?
If you are unsure about your care plan situation, these questions may help at your next appointment:
- Is my current care plan still active?
- Do I need a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan?
- Does my current allied health referral still apply?
- Should my care plan be reviewed or updated?
- Which health professionals should be involved in my ongoing care?
- Should I register with MyMedicare for ongoing care at this practice?
Your GP can review your records and explain what steps, if any, are needed.
Speak With a GP in Wallsend About Chronic Condition Care
Medicare care-plan terms have changed, but the purpose remains the same: helping patients with long-term conditions receive structured, ongoing GP-led care. If you are unsure what applies to you, a conversation with your regular GP is the clearest way forward.
To discuss chronic condition care in Wallsend, contact Wallsend Healthcare or book an appointment with a GP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are GP Management Plans still used?
GP Management Plans were replaced by the GP Chronic Condition Management Plan framework from 1 July 2025. Transition arrangements may cover patients with existing older plans until 30 June 2027.
What is the difference between a GP Management Plan and a Team Care Arrangement?
A GP Management Plan focuses on the written care plan led by your GP. A Team Care Arrangement focuses on coordinating care with other providers. Both were often prepared together under the older system.
What replaced GP Management Plans and Team Care Arrangements?
The GP Chronic Condition Management Plan. It combines the purpose of both into a single plan framework under the current Medicare system.
Do I need a new care plan if I already have a GPMP or TCA?
It depends on your situation. Some existing plans can continue during the transition period, but a current GP Chronic Condition Management Plan may be needed depending on timing, reviews, referrals, and ongoing care needs. Your GP can advise.
