The new practice-level GP reimbursement scheme has been introduced to enable practices to recruit new GPs or increase the number of sessions from GPs already working in the practice.
User guides on the GP reimbursement scheme are available:
- View the GP Reimbursement Scheme Commissioner User Guide.
- View the GP Reimbursement Scheme GP Practice User Guide.
- View the training presentation slides (May 2026).
Communications, Guidance and Support
The key sources of information for the scheme are:
- General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements Directions – GOV.UK
- NHS England » Supplementary information to support changes to the 2026/27 GP contract
Practices should contact their ICB for onboarding, user account management and claim administration for CQRS Local.
Funding and Financial Rules
See the General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements Directions for full details. Key clarifications from the CQRS Local training are listed below:
Funding sits within Primary Medical Care allocations. ICBs administer onboarding and claims approvals, and process payments locally, or via PCSE.
Practices must comply with the additionality principles set out in General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements Directions and the Supplementary information to support changes to the 2026/27 GP contract. There is no specific baseline against which GP recruitment will be measured.
This is a reimbursement scheme, so practices must claim for eligible costs already incurred (i.e. salary + employer National Insurance + pension contributions), up to the maximum reimbursable amount based on the hours worked. This cap is aligned to the 2026/27 salaried GP pay range. Where a practice is claiming for additional sessions provided by an existing employed GP, given the Employer’s National Insurance threshold is £5,000 p.a., the Employer’s NI rate for the additional sessions will simply be 15% of the additional hourly pay rate.
A practice’s entitlement is fixed using adjusted population at 1 January 2026. Adjusted population figures are published in the Primary Care Network adjusted populations publication. The calculation of estimated maximum income is also included in the 2026/27 Practice and PCN Ready Reckoner. If a published adjusted population figure is incorrect, for example because of a practice merger, the practice should liaise with the commissioner to agree how this should be handled.
Funding can be claimed from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. The funding will remain recurrently within the core GP contract beyond 2026/27 rather than transferring back to PCNs.
Practices are encouraged to spend their full allocation in 2026/27. Practices do not need to claim monthly and can use their entitlement flexibly across the year, providing they stay within scheme limits and monitor claims against their overall entitlement. Once approved, claims are paid in the following calendar month.
If practice is unable to utilise its full entitlement by 31 March 2026, underspends cannot be deployed for other purposes outside the scope of the scheme. However, good planning and, for example, deploying the remaining funding for additional sessions by existing practice GPs or what would have previously been used for a locum who is then employed on a short term / zero hours employment contract, should help mitigate the risks of underspends occurring.
Practices within the same PCN can transfer their funding entitlements to support the continued employment of GPs who have transferred from CAP-funded posts or from a PCN test site. Practices will need to complete a form, which has been circulated to ICB PC Finance leads and will be published shortly, and submit to their ICB for approval.
PCSE provides information on salaried GPs and pension type 2 self-assessment.
Funding sits within Primary Medical Care allocations. ICBs administer onboarding and claims approvals, and process payments locally, or via PCSE.
Practices must comply with the additionality principles set out in General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements Directions and the Supplementary information to support changes to the 2026/27 GP contract. There is no specific baseline against which GP recruitment will be measured.
This is a reimbursement scheme, so practices must claim for eligible costs already incurred (i.e. salary + employer National Insurance + pension contributions), up to the maximum reimbursable amount based on the hours worked. This cap is aligned to the 2026/27 salaried GP pay range. Where a practice is claiming for additional sessions provided by an existing employed GP, given the Employer’s National Insurance threshold is £5,000 p.a., the Employer’s NI rate for the additional sessions will simply be 15% of the additional hourly pay rate.
A practice’s entitlement is fixed using adjusted population at 1 January 2026. Adjusted population figures are published in the Primary Care Network adjusted populations publication. The calculation of estimated maximum income is also included in the 2026/27 Practice and PCN Ready Reckoner. If a published adjusted population figure is incorrect, for example because of a practice merger, the practice should liaise with the commissioner to agree how this should be handled.
Funding can be claimed from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. The funding will remain recurrently within the core GP contract beyond 2026/27 rather than transferring back to PCNs.
Practices are encouraged to spend their full allocation in 2026/27. Practices do not need to claim monthly and can use their entitlement flexibly across the year, providing they stay within scheme limits and monitor claims against their overall entitlement. Once approved, claims are paid in the following calendar month.
If practice is unable to utilise its full entitlement by 31 March 2026, underspends cannot be deployed for other purposes outside the scope of the scheme. However, good planning and, for example, deploying the remaining funding for additional sessions by existing practice GPs or what would have previously been used for a locum who is then employed on a short term / zero hours employment contract, should help mitigate the risks of underspends occurring.
Practices within the same PCN can transfer their funding entitlements to support the continued employment of GPs who have transferred from CAP-funded posts or from a PCN test site. Practices will need to complete a form, which has been circulated to ICB PC Finance leads and will be published shortly, and submit to their ICB for approval.
PCSE provides information on salaried GPs and pension type 2 self-assessment.
Eligibility and Workforce (who you can claim for)
Details on eligibility are set out in Supplementary information to support changes to the 2026/27 GP contract. Key clarifications from the CQRS Local training are listed below:
The scheme is intended to increase GP capacity. Whilst the aim is to support clinically urgent same-day access in general practice, there is no restriction on the type of work the GP undertakes as part of the scheme, and practices should determine how best to utilise the additional capacity.
The Practice Level GP Reimbursement Scheme does not replace ARRS. PCNs can continue to employ and recruit GPs under ARRS provided the same costs are not claimed twice for an individual GP.
Any GP may be eligible for additional sessions where they are employed by the practice as a salaried GP under an eligible contract and all the scheme rules are met. This can include GPs on fixed-term contracts, locum or remote GPs, as well as GPs who hold separate contracts as a salaried GP and a locum, provided only the sessions delivered under the scheme are reimbursed. Invoice-only arrangements e.g. for locums – are not covered. A GP previously funded through ARRS, or a GP funded via CAP in 2025/26, may also be eligible where the scheme criteria are met.
Where practices share a salaried GP, it might be possible to claim for reimbursement provided that the scheme eligibility rules are met in full and the employment and claim arrangements are clear. Practices should ensure only the actual eligible costs are claimed and that the same costs are not claimed twice for an individual GP.
Claims cannot be made for GPs that were previously employed as a salaried GP in the practice within the last 12 months, unless an exception applies, such as previous cover for certain types of absence or a GP returning from retirement.
GP partners are not eligible unless:
– they enter and hold an employment contract (they are a salaried GP) for the sessions claimed under the scheme, and
– they haven’t been employed as a salaried GP within the practice within the previous 12 months, and
– the sessions are additional to their contribution as a Partner and they submit a declaration to their commissioner confirming that.
Trainees would not normally be within scope unless they are employed by the practice in a way that meets the scheme’s salaried GP rules.
Regarding GP retainer sessions, where the GP is an existing salaried GP employed by the practice, additional sessions may be claimable subject to the scheme rules and caps. This would depend on the employment arrangement fitting within the scheme.
Providers must confirm that scheme funding is not being used to cover an absent GP; there are separate SFE provisions for absent GP cover.
If a practice has more than 3,500 patients per fully qualified GP, they should contact their commissioner. This is intended to support a discussion about the reasons for the ratio and any assistance the ICB may be able to provide. The ratio should be calculated using fully qualified GP FTE data from the National Workforce Reporting Service (NWRS), and patient registration figures from Patients registered at a GP practice statistics, both of which are published monthly. It should reflect an up-to-date position for the practice. ICBs also have access to the GP Dashboard which includes a practice metric for patient to fully qualified GP FTE ratio.
The scheme is intended to increase GP capacity. Whilst the aim is to support clinically urgent same-day access in general practice, there is no restriction on the type of work the GP undertakes as part of the scheme, and practices should determine how best to utilise the additional capacity.
The Practice Level GP Reimbursement Scheme does not replace ARRS. PCNs can continue to employ and recruit GPs under ARRS provided the same costs are not claimed twice for an individual GP.
Any GP may be eligible for additional sessions where they are employed by the practice as a salaried GP under an eligible contract and all the scheme rules are met. This can include GPs on fixed-term contracts, locum or remote GPs, as well as GPs who hold separate contracts as a salaried GP and a locum, provided only the sessions delivered under the scheme are reimbursed. Invoice-only arrangements e.g. for locums – are not covered. A GP previously funded through ARRS, or a GP funded via CAP in 2025/26, may also be eligible where the scheme criteria are met.
Where practices share a salaried GP, it might be possible to claim for reimbursement provided that the scheme eligibility rules are met in full and the employment and claim arrangements are clear. Practices should ensure only the actual eligible costs are claimed and that the same costs are not claimed twice for an individual GP.
Claims cannot be made for GPs that were previously employed as a salaried GP in the practice within the last 12 months, unless an exception applies, such as previous cover for certain types of absence or a GP returning from retirement.
GP partners are not eligible unless:
– they enter and hold an employment contract (they are a salaried GP) for the sessions claimed under the scheme, and
– they haven’t been employed as a salaried GP within the practice within the previous 12 months, and
– the sessions are additional to their contribution as a Partner and they submit a declaration to their commissioner confirming that.
Trainees would not normally be within scope unless they are employed by the practice in a way that meets the scheme’s salaried GP rules.
Regarding GP retainer sessions, where the GP is an existing salaried GP employed by the practice, additional sessions may be claimable subject to the scheme rules and caps. This would depend on the employment arrangement fitting within the scheme.
Providers must confirm that scheme funding is not being used to cover an absent GP; there are separate SFE provisions for absent GP cover.
If a practice has more than 3,500 patients per fully qualified GP, they should contact their commissioner. This is intended to support a discussion about the reasons for the ratio and any assistance the ICB may be able to provide. The ratio should be calculated using fully qualified GP FTE data from the National Workforce Reporting Service (NWRS), and patient registration figures from Patients registered at a GP practice statistics, both of which are published monthly. It should reflect an up-to-date position for the practice. ICBs also have access to the GP Dashboard which includes a practice metric for patient to fully qualified GP FTE ratio.
Claims Process and Timing
Details regarding how to make claims via CQRS Local can be found in the CQRS Local user guidance. Some additional clarifications, prompted by questions asked during the CQRS Local training are listed below:
The scheme runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Individual employment arrangements should reflect the actual contract dates for the GP concerned.
Claims cannot be backdated into the previous financial year.
ICBs set the monthly claim deadlines through local processes.
The system allows practices to submit once and have it automatically copied for up to the next 3 months where the GP will be working the same number of sessions/hours each month. If the GP’s hours fluctuate, monthly claims would be more appropriate.
Where details change mid-month (e.g. hours worked, or the GP), practices should amend the reimbursement claim to reflect the updated position.
Practices should claim the actual eligible cost incurred, but reimbursement will be limited to the relevant scheme cap where the actual cost is higher.
Claims for additional sessions from existing salaried GPs are based on hourly cost, so practices convert sessions into hours worked for the purposes of submitting reimbursement claims. Current BMA standards for a session of GP care are 4 hours 10 minutes.
Each claim must include an agreement start date and end date. The start date should be the date the GP began working sessions or hours under the scheme, and this should remain the same for all subsequent claims. The agreement end date should reflect the terms of the employment contract or the agreement to work additional hours. For longer-term commitments, for example to the end of the 2026/27 financial year, set the agreement end date as 31/03/2027. If you are claiming on a rolling basis, set the agreement end date as the last calendar day of the final month included in the claim. For example, for a claim covering May to August, the agreement end date should be 31/08/2026.
The scheme runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Individual employment arrangements should reflect the actual contract dates for the GP concerned.
Claims cannot be backdated into the previous financial year.
ICBs set the monthly claim deadlines through local processes.
The system allows practices to submit once and have it automatically copied for up to the next 3 months where the GP will be working the same number of sessions/hours each month. If the GP’s hours fluctuate, monthly claims would be more appropriate.
Where details change mid-month (e.g. hours worked, or the GP), practices should amend the reimbursement claim to reflect the updated position.
Practices should claim the actual eligible cost incurred, but reimbursement will be limited to the relevant scheme cap where the actual cost is higher.
Claims for additional sessions from existing salaried GPs are based on hourly cost, so practices convert sessions into hours worked for the purposes of submitting reimbursement claims. Current BMA standards for a session of GP care are 4 hours 10 minutes.
Each claim must include an agreement start date and end date. The start date should be the date the GP began working sessions or hours under the scheme, and this should remain the same for all subsequent claims. The agreement end date should reflect the terms of the employment contract or the agreement to work additional hours. For longer-term commitments, for example to the end of the 2026/27 financial year, set the agreement end date as 31/03/2027. If you are claiming on a rolling basis, set the agreement end date as the last calendar day of the final month included in the claim. For example, for a claim covering May to August, the agreement end date should be 31/08/2026.
Evidence and Documentation Requirements
See the CQRS Local user guidance for full details. Key clarifications from the CQRS Local training are listed below:
ICBs are responsible for validating claims and must satisfy themselves that any approved claim is accurate and meet the rules of the scheme. They should determine what evidence practices must provide to support this process. This may include payslips and/ or contracts (redacted or otherwise). Commissioners must inform practices of these requirements and ensure compliance.
Where claiming in advance, subject to commissioner determination for the type of evidence required, evidence should only need to be uploaded for the initial claim, not re-uploaded on a monthly basis.
When claiming for GPs that had previously been funded via CAP, the practice should have a record of agreement between them and the PCN for the deployment of the relevant proportion of total CAP funding for the year being used to employ the GP. This could be used as evidence, alongside a record of employment for the GP.
Funding can generally be claimed for salaried GPs only. In the exception where a partner GP enters an employment contract with the practice for additional hours / sessions worked above their normal working hours, the practice will provide them with a payslip as they would for other employees.
ICBs are responsible for validating claims and must satisfy themselves that any approved claim is accurate and meet the rules of the scheme. They should determine what evidence practices must provide to support this process. This may include payslips and/ or contracts (redacted or otherwise). Commissioners must inform practices of these requirements and ensure compliance.
Where claiming in advance, subject to commissioner determination for the type of evidence required, evidence should only need to be uploaded for the initial claim, not re-uploaded on a monthly basis.
When claiming for GPs that had previously been funded via CAP, the practice should have a record of agreement between them and the PCN for the deployment of the relevant proportion of total CAP funding for the year being used to employ the GP. This could be used as evidence, alongside a record of employment for the GP.
Funding can generally be claimed for salaried GPs only. In the exception where a partner GP enters an employment contract with the practice for additional hours / sessions worked above their normal working hours, the practice will provide them with a payslip as they would for other employees.
CQRS Local System and Technical
See the CQRS Local user guidance for full details. The CQRS service desk (support@cqrs.co.uk) should be the first point of contact for functional system related questions. Some additional clarifications, prompted by questions asked during the CQRS Local training are listed below:
PCSE automation is disabled by default. ICBs can enable the functionality by submitting a request to the CQRS service desk (support@cqrs.co.uk).
User account management is the responsibility of the relevant ICB. Users are reminded that this is a practice level scheme and so, there are no PCN level access arrangements. A DPIA is in place for the scheme, as part of CQRS Local.
PCSE automation is disabled by default. ICBs can enable the functionality by submitting a request to the CQRS service desk (support@cqrs.co.uk).
User account management is the responsibility of the relevant ICB. Users are reminded that this is a practice level scheme and so, there are no PCN level access arrangements. A DPIA is in place for the scheme, as part of CQRS Local.
Understanding your claims windows
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The following are a refined list of the most commonly asked questions from the three training sessions. Most of these questions were repeated in slightly different wording.
Locums Eligibility
Are Locum GPs eligible for reimbursement and what kinds of contracts or types of Locums will be eligible under the GP Reimbursement Scheme?
Yes, Locum GPs within the practice can also be funded via the practice level GP reimbursement scheme, however, they must hold an employment contract with the practice for the additional sessions.
Please refer to the eligibility rules under section 14A. paragraph (3) a, b, & C of the General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2026.
Please refer to the eligibility rules under section 14A. paragraph (3) a, b, & C of the General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2026.
How do locum invoices work where there is no payslip, NI or pension?
Locum GPs must hold an employment contract with the practice for the additional sessions.
Would a contractual arrangement for long-term locum cover qualify, even if the GP is technically not ‘salaried’ / directly employed for claiming?
No, they are required to have a contract and be a salaried GP.
Can self-employed locum GPs not paid by PAYE and who invoice the practice be eligible for the reimbursement? What employer NI information is required for the claims?
No, Locum GPs must hold an employment contract with the practice for the additional sessions (that is, they would be a new salaried GP under the Scheme) – review. The eligibility rules for employer’s contribution for national insurance and pension are as specified under Section 14 A paragraph (9) & (10) of the General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2026.
Can Locum GPs that are engaged to cover annual leave for a Salaried GP who has been employed for the additional hours be claimed?
Yes, but Locum GPs must hold an employment contract with the practice for the additional sessions.
Can Locum GPs be used under the GP reimbursement scheme or must they be partners or salaried?
Yes, Locum GPs within the practice can also be funded via the practice level GP reimbursement scheme, but they must hold an employment contract with the practice for the additional sessions (that is, they would be a new salaried GP under the Scheme).
Claim for Existing GPs
Can existing GPs or partners undertaking additional/increased sessions be claimed, or is the scheme limited to new GPs?
Yes, the increased participation of an existing Salaried GP can be claimed for in accordance with section 14A paragraph (6)-(8) of the General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2026.
Can reimbursement be claimed for 2 separate GPs? And can the practice use any of its remaining allocation to claim for an additional GP?
Yes, practices can enter the details of an additional GP(s) by clicking on the green + Add Line button. Please refer to Section 6, (Subsection 12) of the GP Reimbursement Scheme User Guidance for General Practice.
How should claims be submitted where the funding allocation is shared across multiple GPs?
Practices can enter the details of an additional GP(s) by clicking on the green + Add Line button. Please refer to Section 6, (Subsection 12) of the GP Reimbursement Scheme User Guidance for General Practice.
Claim for Practice and Cap applied
How much funding can a practice claim, can monthly claims be varied, and how can remaining allocation be tracked in CQRS Local?
The amount payable by NHS England per claim is as specified under Section 14 A paragraph (9) & (10) of the General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2026.
Please also refer to the supplementary information to support changes to the 2026-27 GP contract specially under section 2. As practices can enter the details of an additional GP(s), the claim can be varied according to the monthly salary of the Salaried GP as long as the Claim is in accordance with section 14A Paragraph (9) & (10) of the General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2026. Claims are pre-set and can be viewed by following the process specified under section 5 of the GP Reimbursement Scheme User Guidance for General Practice.
Please also refer to the supplementary information to support changes to the 2026-27 GP contract specially under section 2. As practices can enter the details of an additional GP(s), the claim can be varied according to the monthly salary of the Salaried GP as long as the Claim is in accordance with section 14A Paragraph (9) & (10) of the General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2026. Claims are pre-set and can be viewed by following the process specified under section 5 of the GP Reimbursement Scheme User Guidance for General Practice.
How are GPs approved to become eligible to submit claims?
Contractors must comply with the eligibility requirements specified under the header “Entitlement to a GP reimbursement payment” in General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2026.
Why are claims submitted before salary payments have been made?
Claims can be submitted up to three months in advance in the GP Reimbursement scheme. Please refer to the process on how to process and submit claim(s) specified in Section 6 of GP Reimbursement Scheme User Guidance for General Practice.
How should evidence be provided when claims are submitted before payslips are available?
Subject to commissioners’ discretion on the type of evidence required, evidence should only need to be uploaded for the initial claim and should not require re-uploading on a monthly basis. Please refer to the process on how to process and submit claim(s) specified in Section 6 of GP Reimbursement Scheme User Guidance for General Practice.
Does the GP Reimbursement Scheme cover all practices across England or just in a specific area?
The GP reimbursement scheme applies to England as per the provisions specified in Part 8, Paragraph 2(2) of the General Medical Services statement of Financial Entitlements Directions 2026.
Does the GP Reimbursement Scheme provide funding for additional employment costs such as HR, accommodation and administration?
For additional employment costs, practices must comply with the additionality principles set out in General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements Directions and the Supplementary information to support changes to the 2026/27 GP contract. There is no specific baseline against which GP recruitment will be measured.
This is a reimbursement scheme, so practices must claim for eligible costs already incurred (i.e. salary + employer National Insurance + pension contributions), up to the maximum reimbursable amount based on the hours worked. This cap is aligned to the 2026/27 salaried GP pay range. Where a practice is claiming for additional sessions provided by an existing employed GP, given the Employer’s National Insurance threshold is £5,000 p.a., the Employer’s NI rate for the additional sessions will simply be 15% of the additional hourly pay rate.
This is a reimbursement scheme, so practices must claim for eligible costs already incurred (i.e. salary + employer National Insurance + pension contributions), up to the maximum reimbursable amount based on the hours worked. This cap is aligned to the 2026/27 salaried GP pay range. Where a practice is claiming for additional sessions provided by an existing employed GP, given the Employer’s National Insurance threshold is £5,000 p.a., the Employer’s NI rate for the additional sessions will simply be 15% of the additional hourly pay rate.
Is there a monthly or annual limit on the amount that can be claimed? And how is the maximum reimbursement calculated?
The amount payable by NHS England per claim is as specified under Section 14 A paragraph (9) & (10) of the General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2026. Please also refer to the supplementary information to support changes to the 2026-27 GP contact specially under section 2.
How are adjusted population caps applied?
Please refer to paragraph 14 A paragraph (4) of the General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2026. Please also refer to the supplementary information to support changes to the 2026-27 GP contact specially under the header “Amounts that Can be Claimed”.
Evidence to support Claims
What are the evidence requirements to support a claim? I.e. payslip requirements, alternative evidence if payslips are unavailable, and scenario of GPs not consenting to sharing their payslip?
Subject to commissioners’ discretion on the type of evidence required, evidence should only need to be uploaded for the initial claim, and not re-uploaded on a monthly basis. Please refer to the process on how to process and submit claim(s) specified in Section 6 of GP Reimbursement Scheme User Guidance for General Practice.
Payslips and Employment contracts are the usual examples of type of evidence that may be eligible subject to commissioner determination.
Payslips and Employment contracts are the usual examples of type of evidence that may be eligible subject to commissioner determination.
Treatment of employer Pension and National Insurance
Are employer pension and National Insurance contributions included?
Yes, the amended SFE’s includes details on GP Reimbursement and can be accessed at General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2026.
How should National Insurance and pension contributions be calculated where additional hours worked are not separately identified on a payslip?
Practices must comply with the additionality principles set out in General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements Directions and the Supplementary information to support changes to the 2026/27 GP contract. There is no specific baseline against which GP recruitment will be measured.
This is a reimbursement scheme, so practices must claim for eligible costs already incurred (i.e. salary + employer National Insurance + pension contributions), up to the maximum reimbursable amount based on the hours worked. This cap is aligned to the 2026/27 salaried GP pay range. Where a practice is claiming for additional sessions provided by an existing employed GP, given the Employer’s National Insurance threshold is £5,000 p.a., the Employer’s NI rate for the additional sessions will simply be 15% of the additional hourly pay rate.
This is a reimbursement scheme, so practices must claim for eligible costs already incurred (i.e. salary + employer National Insurance + pension contributions), up to the maximum reimbursable amount based on the hours worked. This cap is aligned to the 2026/27 salaried GP pay range. Where a practice is claiming for additional sessions provided by an existing employed GP, given the Employer’s National Insurance threshold is £5,000 p.a., the Employer’s NI rate for the additional sessions will simply be 15% of the additional hourly pay rate.
Backdating of Funds
Can retrospective claims be made for GPs or locum cover provided before the scheme or guidance was introduced?
The GP Reimbursement Scheme applies from 1st April 2026 and has effect in relation to the financial year commencing on 1st April 2026 and ending on 31st March 2027. The scheme includes some additionality criteria to provide assurance that the funding is supporting additional GP capacity. These are:
– new GPs employed via the scheme must not (at the date they start employment) have been employed as a salaried GP in the practice within the previous 12 months. The exceptions are:
– where they were previously providing cover for a GP who was absent due to sickness, suspension, maternity leave, paternity leave, neonatal care leave, adoption leave, shared parental leave or study leave.
– the GP has retired but is returning to work and is funded via the scheme.
– existing GPs within the practice who are increasing their participation can deliver up to a maximum of 9 sessions per week, for example, a GP currently working 4 sessions per week can deliver an additional 5 sessions under the scheme.
Contractors will also need to confirm that they are not already claiming reimbursement in respect of the same costs for the salaried GP and that funding is not being used to cover an absent GP (as there are separate provisions for absent GP cover within the SFE).
– new GPs employed via the scheme must not (at the date they start employment) have been employed as a salaried GP in the practice within the previous 12 months. The exceptions are:
– where they were previously providing cover for a GP who was absent due to sickness, suspension, maternity leave, paternity leave, neonatal care leave, adoption leave, shared parental leave or study leave.
– the GP has retired but is returning to work and is funded via the scheme.
– existing GPs within the practice who are increasing their participation can deliver up to a maximum of 9 sessions per week, for example, a GP currently working 4 sessions per week can deliver an additional 5 sessions under the scheme.
Contractors will also need to confirm that they are not already claiming reimbursement in respect of the same costs for the salaried GP and that funding is not being used to cover an absent GP (as there are separate provisions for absent GP cover within the SFE).
Can backdated salary increases be claimed?
ICBs are responsible for validating claims and must satisfy themselves that any approved claim is accurate and meet the rules of the scheme. They should determine what type of evidence practices must provide to support this process. This may include payslips and/ or contracts (redacted or otherwise). Commissioners must inform practices of these requirements and ensure compliance.
Where claiming in advance, subject to commissioner determination? for the type of evidence required, evidence should only need to be uploaded for the initial claim, not re-uploaded on a monthly basis.
Where claiming in advance, subject to commissioner determination? for the type of evidence required, evidence should only need to be uploaded for the initial claim, not re-uploaded on a monthly basis.
Fund Pooling
Can funding be pooled across practices or PCNs?
No, claims are based on Salaried GPs employed by a Practice.
Can funding be transferred to a Primary Care Network (PCN)?
Subject to section 14 A paragraph (11) of the General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2026, a contractor may transfer all or part of its funding entitlement under this Scheme to another practice that is a Core Network Member of the same PCN as a contractor, for the purpose of paragraph 14A (3)(c), by confirming in writing to NHS England.
ARRS, CAIP, and Capacity and Access Funding
How does the GP reimbursement scheme interact with Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS), Capacity and Access Improvement Payment (CAIP), and Capacity and Access funding? How does the GP Reimbursement Scheme differ from the ARRS?
GPs previously funded via the Capacity and Access Payment or the PCN Test Sites programme can transition to the practice level GP reimbursement scheme.
The Practice Level GP Reimbursement Scheme does not replace ARRS. PCNs can continue to employ and recruit GPs under ARRS provided the same costs are not claimed twice for an individual GP. A GP previously funded through ARRS, or a GP funded via CAP in 2025/26, may also be eligible where the scheme criteria are met.
The Practice Level GP Reimbursement Scheme does not replace ARRS. PCNs can continue to employ and recruit GPs under ARRS provided the same costs are not claimed twice for an individual GP. A GP previously funded through ARRS, or a GP funded via CAP in 2025/26, may also be eligible where the scheme criteria are met.
Can reimbursement for a newly recruited GP be claimed partly through this scheme and partly through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS)?
PCNs can continue to employ and recruit GPs under ARRS provided the same costs are not claimed twice for an individual GP. A GP previously funded through ARRS, or a GP funded via CAP in 2025/26, may also be eligible where the scheme criteria are met.
Can contract documentation be submitted instead of payslips?
Yes, ICBs are responsible for validating claims and must satisfy themselves that any approved claim is accurate and meet the rules of the scheme. They should determine what type of evidence practices must provide to support this process. This may include payslips and/ or contracts (redacted or otherwise). Commissioners must inform practices of these requirements and ensure compliance.
Is there a monthly cap for the reimbursement claims like the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) claims?
The amount of funding available to each practice under the scheme is £4.57 multiplied by the practice adjusted population per practice at 1 January 2026 (noting that practices within a PCN can choose to transfer their entitlements to each other). Funding is embedded within PMC baseline allocations.
When practices are making claims for either a new salaried GP, or a GP that was previously funded by either the Capacity and Access Payment or the PCN Test site programme, they can claim the lower of either of the following amounts (which include the cost of the salary of the GP and the employer’s contribution for national insurance and pension):
– the actual cost incurred by the practice
– the maximum sum of £152,900 and (or £155,698 where London weighting applies).
If a new salaried GP, or a GP previously funded by either the Capacity and Access Payment or the PCN Test site programme, is absent due to sickness or parental leave, the practice may continue to claim reimbursement for that GP and make payments to them under their employment contract while they are absent.
If an existing GP is delivering additional sessions under the scheme, has an employment contract for the additional sessions and is absent due to sickness or parental leave, the practice may continue to claim reimbursement for those additional sessions and make payments to them under their employment contract while they are absent.
Separately, practices can claim reimbursement for cover for the absent GP under both these scenarios as set out in the GMS Statement of Financial Entitlements (SFE).
When practices are making claims for additional sessions for existing GPs within the practice, they can claim the lower of either of the following amounts (which include the cost of the salary of the GP and the employer’s contribution for national insurance and pension):
– the actual cost per hour incurred by the practice
– the maximum hourly rate of £78.41 (£79.84 where London weighting applies).
When practices are making claims for either a new salaried GP, or a GP that was previously funded by either the Capacity and Access Payment or the PCN Test site programme, they can claim the lower of either of the following amounts (which include the cost of the salary of the GP and the employer’s contribution for national insurance and pension):
– the actual cost incurred by the practice
– the maximum sum of £152,900 and (or £155,698 where London weighting applies).
If a new salaried GP, or a GP previously funded by either the Capacity and Access Payment or the PCN Test site programme, is absent due to sickness or parental leave, the practice may continue to claim reimbursement for that GP and make payments to them under their employment contract while they are absent.
If an existing GP is delivering additional sessions under the scheme, has an employment contract for the additional sessions and is absent due to sickness or parental leave, the practice may continue to claim reimbursement for those additional sessions and make payments to them under their employment contract while they are absent.
Separately, practices can claim reimbursement for cover for the absent GP under both these scenarios as set out in the GMS Statement of Financial Entitlements (SFE).
When practices are making claims for additional sessions for existing GPs within the practice, they can claim the lower of either of the following amounts (which include the cost of the salary of the GP and the employer’s contribution for national insurance and pension):
– the actual cost per hour incurred by the practice
– the maximum hourly rate of £78.41 (£79.84 where London weighting applies).
What is the eligibility criteria for GPs under this scheme? Will regular salaried GPs or GPs who were previously under the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) be eligible?
The eligibility requirements are specified under the header “Entitlement to a GP reimbursement payment” in General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2026.
GPs previously funded through ARRS, or GPs funded via CAP in 2025/26, may also be eligible where the scheme criteria are met.
GPs previously funded through ARRS, or GPs funded via CAP in 2025/26, may also be eligible where the scheme criteria are met.
Where a GP moves from the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) scheme claimed by a PCN to a practice, can the GP Reimbursement Scheme claim cover all the hours now worked in the surgery?
PCNs can continue to employ and recruit GPs under ARRS provided the same costs are not claimed twice for an individual GP. A GP previously funded through ARRS, or a GP funded via CAP in 2025/26, may also be eligible where the scheme criteria are met.
Does previous employment under the Capacity and Access Improvement Payment (CAIP) affect eligibility under the 12-month rule?
Practices can claim reimbursement for:
– the employment of a new salaried GP (or a contribution towards the cost of a new GP).
– extra sessions from existing salaried GPs within the practice
– where the practice is a core member practice of a PCN, for the continuation of a salaried GP where the post was previously funded (and the funding has stopped – or will stop) through either:
– the PCN Capacity and Access Payment or
– the PCN Test Sites programme.
This means that GPs previously funded via the Capacity and Access Payment or the PCN Test Sites programme can transition to the scheme. To support this, practices within the same PCN can transfer their funding entitlements to each other under the scheme by completing the Transfer of Financial Entitlement form and submitting it to their relevant ICB.
– the employment of a new salaried GP (or a contribution towards the cost of a new GP).
– extra sessions from existing salaried GPs within the practice
– where the practice is a core member practice of a PCN, for the continuation of a salaried GP where the post was previously funded (and the funding has stopped – or will stop) through either:
– the PCN Capacity and Access Payment or
– the PCN Test Sites programme.
This means that GPs previously funded via the Capacity and Access Payment or the PCN Test Sites programme can transition to the scheme. To support this, practices within the same PCN can transfer their funding entitlements to each other under the scheme by completing the Transfer of Financial Entitlement form and submitting it to their relevant ICB.
Will the reimbursement continue for the duration of a salaried GP’s employment if funding ends before the contract expires?
The GP Reimbursement Scheme applies from 1st April 2026 and has effect in relation to the financial year commencing on 1st April 2026 and ending on 31st March 2027.
Can reimbursement claims be made for additional GPs hired from the 1st of April 2026?
Yes, the scheme includes some additional criteria to provide assurance that the funding is supporting additional GP capacity. These are:
– new GPs employed via the scheme must not (at the date they start employment) have been employed as a salaried GP in the practice within the previous 12 months. The exceptions are:
– where they were previously providing cover for a GP who was absent due to sickness, suspension, maternity leave, paternity leave, neonatal care leave, adoption leave, shared parental leave or study leave.
– the GP has retired but is returning to work and is funded via the scheme.
– existing GPs within the practice who are increasing their participation can deliver up to a maximum of 9 sessions per week, for
example, a GP currently working 4 sessions per week can deliver an additional 5 sessions under the scheme.
Contractors will also need to confirm that they are not already claiming reimbursement in respect of the same costs for the salaried GP and that funding is not being used to cover an absent GP (as there are separate provisions for absent GP cover within the SFE).
– new GPs employed via the scheme must not (at the date they start employment) have been employed as a salaried GP in the practice within the previous 12 months. The exceptions are:
– where they were previously providing cover for a GP who was absent due to sickness, suspension, maternity leave, paternity leave, neonatal care leave, adoption leave, shared parental leave or study leave.
– the GP has retired but is returning to work and is funded via the scheme.
– existing GPs within the practice who are increasing their participation can deliver up to a maximum of 9 sessions per week, for
example, a GP currently working 4 sessions per week can deliver an additional 5 sessions under the scheme.
Contractors will also need to confirm that they are not already claiming reimbursement in respect of the same costs for the salaried GP and that funding is not being used to cover an absent GP (as there are separate provisions for absent GP cover within the SFE).
How is a GP’s identity verified where supporting documents have been redacted?
ICBs are responsible for validating claims and must satisfy themselves that any approved claim is accurate and meet the rules of the scheme. They should determine what type of evidence the practices must provide to support this process. This may include payslips and/ or contracts (redacted or otherwise). Commissioners must inform practices of these requirements and ensure compliance.
Who is responsible for providing guidance on the scheme, and how do the backdating and eligibility rules apply where Capacity and Access funding has previously been used?
Please refer to the eligibility requirements specified under the header “Entitlement to a GP reimbursement payment” in General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2026.
GPs previously funded through ARRS, or GPs funded via CAP in 2025/26, may also be eligible where the scheme criteria are met.
GPs previously funded via the Capacity and Access Payment or the PCN Test Sites programme can transition to the scheme. To support this, practices within the same PCN can transfer their funding entitlements to each other under the scheme by completing the Transfer of Financial Entitlement form and submitting it to their relevant ICB.
GPs previously funded through ARRS, or GPs funded via CAP in 2025/26, may also be eligible where the scheme criteria are met.
GPs previously funded via the Capacity and Access Payment or the PCN Test Sites programme can transition to the scheme. To support this, practices within the same PCN can transfer their funding entitlements to each other under the scheme by completing the Transfer of Financial Entitlement form and submitting it to their relevant ICB.
Timeline for Submission and Payment of Claims
What is the process for the claims i.e. deadlines, approvals and expected payments?
Please refer to Section 6 of the GP Reimbursement Scheme User Guidance for General Practice.
Why are claims submitted in advance rather than after the claim period?
Claims can be submitted for approval for a single month or for the month in question plus up to three months in advance (subject to ICB confirmation). Please refer to Section 6 of the GP Reimbursement Scheme User Guidance for General Practice.
Can missed claim periods be reclaimed later in the scheme? And what are the claim submission windows and deadlines?
Yes, claims can be submitted for approval for a single month or for the month in question plus up to three months in advance (subject to ICB confirmation). Please refer to Section 6 of the GP Reimbursement Scheme User Guidance for General Practice.
GP types and Contracts eligible
What GP types and contracts are eligible?
The GP reimbursement scheme applies to Salaried GPs and the contractor must hold a GMS contract with NHS England.
Timeline of GP Reimbursement Scheme
How long will the GP reimbursement scheme run?
The GP Reimbursement Scheme applies from 1st April 2026 and has effect in relation to the financial year commencing on 1st April 2026 and ending on 31st March 2027.
Do the agreement start and end dates relate to the GP’s employment or the reimbursement claim period?
The agreement dates refers to the GP Reimbursement scheme claim period and it runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Individual employment arrangements should reflect the actual contract dates for the GP concerned.
Can the annual allocation still be fully utilised if a GP starts after April?
Yes, claims can be made in arrears and in advance.
CQRS Local and Payments
How do CQRS Local payments work?
Access further information on CQRS Local and its benefits.
Are practices meeting the 3,500 patients per FTE threshold automatically allocated funding?
Yes, only practices that have more than 3,500 patients per fully qualified GP, would have to contact their commissioner. This is intended to support a discussion about the reasons for the ratio and any assistance the ICB may be able to provide. The ratio should be calculated using fully qualified GP FTE data from the National Workforce Reporting Service (NWRS), and patient registration figures from Patients registered at a GP practice statistics, both of which are published monthly. It should reflect an up-to-date position for the practice. ICBs also have access to the GP Dashboard which includes a practice metric for patient to fully qualified GP FTE ratio.
Where can detailed guidance about what is claimable and what is not be accessed?
View detailed guidance relating to the GP Reimbursement scheme.
How long is the waiting period for payment after submitting the claim?
The waiting period between each of the four stages is dependent on the approver. Further information on the stages can be found in section 7 of the GP Reimbursement Scheme User Guidance for General Practice.
Is any action required to enable PCSE payments for this service?
To enable PCSE payments functionality for the GP Reimbursement scheme, please ask your commissioner to contact the CQRS Service desk and they will be able to provide further information on the next steps. Once enabled, the CQRS Local system will generate a PCSE payment file on the last day of each month.
Is this the same system as Minor Surgery claims?
No, this is a separate scheme.
How are claims submitted through CQRS Local?
Claims can be submitted for approval for a single month or for the month in question plus up to three months in advance (subject to ICB confirmation). Please refer to Section 6 of the GP Reimbursement Scheme User Guidance for General Practice.
Where can a practice view its funding allocation?
Please refer to Section 5 of the GP Reimbursement Scheme User Guidance for General Practice.
Why has CQRS Local calculated a lower reimbursement amount?
The amount payable by NHS England per claim is as specified under Section 14A paragraph (9) & (10) of the General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2026.
Please also refer to the supplementary information to support changes to the 2026-27 GP contract specially under section 2.
Please also refer to the supplementary information to support changes to the 2026-27 GP contract specially under section 2.
Can a submitted claim be withdrawn or amended?
Yes, please refer to section 8 of the GP Reimbursement Scheme User Guidance for General Practice.
Claim Outcomes
Why might a claim be rejected?
A claim can be rejected due to a number of factors, please refer to section 9 of the GP Reimbursement Scheme User Guidance for General Practice and the user guide for Commissioners for further information.
Treatment of Absences
Can annual leave, sickness, maternity leave and other absences be claimed?
Yes, If a new salaried GP, or a GP previously funded by either the Capacity and Access Payment or the PCN Test site programme, is absent due to sickness or parental leave, the practice may continue to claim reimbursement for that GP and make payments to them under their employment contract while they are absent.
If an existing GP is delivering additional sessions under the scheme, has an employment contract for the additional sessions and is absent due to sickness or parental leave, the practice may continue to claim reimbursement for those additional sessions and make payments to them under their employment contract while they are absent.
Separately, practices can claim reimbursement for cover for the absent GP under both these scenarios as set out in the GMS Statement of Financial Entitlements (SFE).
If an existing GP is delivering additional sessions under the scheme, has an employment contract for the additional sessions and is absent due to sickness or parental leave, the practice may continue to claim reimbursement for those additional sessions and make payments to them under their employment contract while they are absent.
Separately, practices can claim reimbursement for cover for the absent GP under both these scenarios as set out in the GMS Statement of Financial Entitlements (SFE).
Hours vs Sessions
Why are claims based on hours rather than sessions?
Sessions can be transformed into hours. ICBs are responsible for validating claims and must satisfy themselves that any approved claim is accurate and meet the rules of the scheme. They should determine what type of evidence practices must provide to support this process.
Can reimbursement claims be made for additional sessions if GP retainer sessions are increased?
Yes, Practices must comply with the additional principles set out in General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements Directions and the Supplementary information to support changes to the 2026/27 GP contract. There is no specific baseline against which GP recruitment will be measured.
This is a reimbursement scheme, so practices must claim for eligible costs already incurred (i.e. salary + employer National Insurance + pension contributions), up to the maximum reimbursable amount based on the hours worked. This cap is aligned to the 2026/27 salaried GP pay range. Where a practice is claiming for additional sessions provided by an existing employed GP, given the Employer’s National Insurance threshold is £5,000 p.a., the Employer’s NI rate for the additional sessions will simply be 15% of the additional hourly pay rate.
This is a reimbursement scheme, so practices must claim for eligible costs already incurred (i.e. salary + employer National Insurance + pension contributions), up to the maximum reimbursable amount based on the hours worked. This cap is aligned to the 2026/27 salaried GP pay range. Where a practice is claiming for additional sessions provided by an existing employed GP, given the Employer’s National Insurance threshold is £5,000 p.a., the Employer’s NI rate for the additional sessions will simply be 15% of the additional hourly pay rate.
Will the reimbursement be purely based on practice population not based on sessions?
The amount of funding available to each practice under the scheme is £4.57 multiplied by the practice adjusted population per practice at 1 January 2026 (noting that practices within a PCN can choose to transfer their entitlements to each other). Funding is embedded within PMC baseline allocations.
When practices are making claims for either a new salaried GP, or a GP that was previously funded by either the Capacity and Access Payment or the PCN Test site programme, they can claim the lower of either of the following amounts (which include the cost of the salary of the GP and the employer’s contribution for national insurance and pension):
– the actual cost incurred by the practice
– the maximum sum of £152,900 and (or £155,698 where London weighting applies).
If a new salaried GP, or a GP previously funded by either the Capacity and Access Payment or the PCN Test site programme, is absent due to sickness or parental leave, the practice may continue to claim reimbursement for that GP and make payments to them under their employment contract while they are absent.
If an existing GP is delivering additional sessions under the scheme, has an employment contract for the additional sessions and is absent due to sickness or parental leave, the practice may continue to claim reimbursement for those additional sessions and make payments to them under their employment contract while they are absent.
Separately, practices can claim reimbursement for cover for the absent GP under both these scenarios as set out in the GMS Statement of Financial Entitlements (SFE).
When practices are making claims for additional sessions for existing GPs within the practice, they can claim the lower of either of the following amounts (which include the cost of the salary of the GP and the employer’s contribution for national insurance and pension):
– the actual cost per hour incurred by the practice
– the maximum hourly rate of £78.41 (£79.84 where London weighting applies).
When practices are making claims for either a new salaried GP, or a GP that was previously funded by either the Capacity and Access Payment or the PCN Test site programme, they can claim the lower of either of the following amounts (which include the cost of the salary of the GP and the employer’s contribution for national insurance and pension):
– the actual cost incurred by the practice
– the maximum sum of £152,900 and (or £155,698 where London weighting applies).
If a new salaried GP, or a GP previously funded by either the Capacity and Access Payment or the PCN Test site programme, is absent due to sickness or parental leave, the practice may continue to claim reimbursement for that GP and make payments to them under their employment contract while they are absent.
If an existing GP is delivering additional sessions under the scheme, has an employment contract for the additional sessions and is absent due to sickness or parental leave, the practice may continue to claim reimbursement for those additional sessions and make payments to them under their employment contract while they are absent.
Separately, practices can claim reimbursement for cover for the absent GP under both these scenarios as set out in the GMS Statement of Financial Entitlements (SFE).
When practices are making claims for additional sessions for existing GPs within the practice, they can claim the lower of either of the following amounts (which include the cost of the salary of the GP and the employer’s contribution for national insurance and pension):
– the actual cost per hour incurred by the practice
– the maximum hourly rate of £78.41 (£79.84 where London weighting applies).
Commissioner Reporting and Visibility
Is the agreement for the commissioners or the practices?
The sign-up agreement will be signed by Commissioners.
Payment Route and Remittance Information
How are reimbursement payments made, and will they appear on GMS, PCSE or SBS remittance statements?
The GP Reimbursement scheme offers payments to be made via PCSE. However, to enable this functionality, please ask your commissioner to contact the CQRS Service desk and they will be able to provide further information on the next steps.
Non-urgent advice: Need help?
If you need help with CQRS, you can log a call with the service desk. Please email: support@cqrs.co.uk or call 0330 124 4039.