For health professionals
Increased Medicare compliance audit initiative
As part of the 2008-09 Federal Budget, the government announced an increase in Medicare Australia’s compliance activities and some amendments to Medicare Australia’s audit powers.
As part of the initiative, an additional 2000 MBS compliance audits will be carried out each financial year, starting in January 2009. This will increase Medicare Australia’s audit coverage to about 4 per cent of the provider population, compared to current audit coverage of less than 1 per cent.
The government also announced that it will:
- introduce legislation to create an obligation on providers to produce records substantiating their MBS claims
- establish new financial penalties for providers who have claimed MBS items incorrectly.
In conjunction with the Department of Health and Ageing, Medicare Australia has recently circulated an information sheet to key stakeholders. The information sheet provides further information on the increased MBS compliance initiative and invites public submissions on some of the details.
For more information, download the Increased MBS Compliance Audits information sheet [PDF, 131Kb]
Are you a new prescriber?
Learn the ropes of PBS prescribing with PBS and You online learning. It is a self-paced program that teaches you how to prescribe according to PBS requirements. This program supplements existing face-to-face introductory sessions offered by Medicare Australia.
Medicare Teen Dental Plan and Medicare chronic disease dental scheme
On 1 July 2008, the Australian Government introduced the Medicare Teen Dental Plan to help with the cost of an annual preventative dental check for eligible teenagers.
The Medicare chronic disease dental scheme was introduced in November 2007. The scheme allows chronically ill people who are being managed by their GP under an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan access to Medicare rebates for dental services.
- Medicare chronic disease dental scheme
- Medicare chronic disease dental scheme forms for dentists
- Referral forms for GPs – Medicare chronic disease dental scheme are available on the Department of Health and Ageing website or by faxing a request to (02) 6289 7120.
For more information
Call Medicare Australia on 132 150 or visit the Department of Health and Ageing website at www.health.gov.au/dental
Online Medicare eLearning for Dentists
An eLearning program has been developed to support dentists who are new to billing Medicare. The program is interactive and easy to use. Modules include 'What is Medicare?' and 'Billing and Claiming.' The program takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.
New laws on inducements for pathology and diagnostic imaging effective 1 March 2008
There have been changes to the legislation around inducements for pathology and diagnostic imaging referrals. These new laws are effective from 1 March 2008. They apply to any existing arrangements as well as any new arrangements put into place after 1 March 2008.
For more information visit Pathology Services on the Department of Health and Ageing website or call 132 150.
The Department of Health and Ageing has consulted with pathology, diagnostic imaging and medical organisations about the development of regulations. The regulations provide extra detail on some aspects of the legislation.
Further consultation is currently underway. If you have any comments or need more information, please contact the Department of Health and Ageing at legislativeamendments@health.gov.au
.
If you are unsure how the changes will affect you, please seek legal advice.
Financial assistance for switching on electronic claiming
If you’ve recently switched on Medicare Easyclaim, Medicare Online or ECLIPSE, you may be eligible for financial assistance. More information about Medicare Australia’s Transitional Support Package can be found on the Claiming choices page
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Last updated: 27 October, 2008