Collaborative arrangements for Australian nurse practitioners: a policy analysis

Area of Science:

• Health Policy Analysis
• Nursing Practice
• Healthcare Reimbursement Schemes

Background:

• In 2010, Australian nurse practitioners (NPs) were granted provider status under the federal Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
• Eligibility for NPs to access these reimbursement schemes was contingent upon establishing collaborative arrangements.
• This policy analysis is the first to examine the determination mandating these collaborative arrangements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct the first published policy analysis of the determination requiring collaborative arrangements for nurse practitioners.
• To understand the policy process and origins of collaborative arrangement requirements for NPs in Australia.
• To provide clarity on the policy's impact and inform future policy development.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of published literature.
• Review of grey literature, including meeting minutes.
• Examination of media content.

Main Results:

• The National Health Collaborative arrangements for Nurse Practitioners Determination was successful in amending the Australian National Health Act 1953.
• This policy facilitated nurse practitioner access as providers to the MBS and PBS in Australia.
• The determination successfully enabled NPs to be recognized providers within key federal healthcare schemes.

Conclusions:

• The policy mandating collaborative arrangements for NPs was a successful determinant of their access to the MBS and PBS.
• Understanding this policy's origins demystifies its requirements and empowers NPs to practice within their full scope.
• This analysis offers clear research directions for future policy cycles concerning NP practice and integration.