Medicare Update

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:58:37 +0000

On 1 July, Medicare Australia, Centrelink, the child Support Agency and CRS Australia were integrated into one new government department – the Department of Human Services. As a result, you will be receiving information from the new department on matters covering Medicare, the PBS, aged care and other health programs. The name Medicare has not changed and all Medicare provider and public services will continue to operate under existing Medicare program arrangements. There should be no impact on your dealings with Medicare.

The Health Insurance Amendment (Compliance) Act 2011 has become law. The Act deals with concerns over Medicare payments for professional services which should not have been made or exceed the amount which should have been paid. The Act looks at procedures for determining the legitimacy of those claims; recouperating Medicare payments where they are found to be illegitimate; and penalties that may be imposed for illegitimate claims.

For a background to the introduction of the Act, you might like to look at the second reading of the bill in parliament http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?id=2011-03-03.42.1

Updated MBS rate

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:57:58 +0000

Medicare has published an updated schedule of benefits effective 01.11.11. You can find it at:

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/Downloads-201111

Health Fund Update

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:57:18 +0000

As of 1 November 2011, Australian Health Management (AHM), has merged with Medibank Private and is no longer part of the Australian Health Service Alliance.

Doctor Claim

Medicare Update

Updated MBS rate

Health Fund Update