GMS contract and PMS agreement – how they compare
As the PMS review process continues, many practices will have their funding reduced over the next few years. The GPC strongly encourages consideration of a return to the nationally negotiated GMS contract. The GMS contract offers greater stability and security than PMS agreements. It is not subject to local negotiation, which is likely to place obligations on practices over and above those required by the regulations; or to unilateral termination with six months notice without reason.
Under national arrangements, Minimum Practice Income Guarantee (MPIG) payments once available to some GMS practices are being removed over a seven year period and reinvested in core global sum payments. This will increase the value of global sum funding and is likely, over time, to make a return to GMS a more attractive and viable option for some, if not most, PMS practices. This consideration may not apply to some practices with unusual populations, for whom PMS contracts may remain the best option.