Question: What is your take on item 11607? Can a GP bill this number? Answer: Yes, a GP can use the item 11607. Medicare mentions ‘medical practitioner’ in the description of this number, rather than a specialist. When a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM) can be billed. In short:If a patient Read more
Understanding the Medicare 30/20 Rule for Telehealth Services The Medicare 30/20 rule was introduced on 1 October 2022. This rule applies to general practitioners (GPs), other medical practitioners (OMPs), and consultant physicians offering telehealth services in Australia. Misunderstandings about the rule have led to compliance issues, so practitioners must understand Read more
How GPs in Melbourne Can Reduce Their Moratorium While Balancing Family Life Overseas-trained doctors in Australia face a significant challenge: the 10-year moratorium imposed by the Government. This requires them to work in workforce shortage areas, also known as Distribution Priority Areas (DPA), or during after-hours periods. For many GPs Read more
Can You Bill Item 23 and Item 10997 Together? Yes, you can bill Item 23 and Item 10997 together. Item 10997, part of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), can be co-billed with any other item on the MBS schedule, including Item 23, without restrictions. So far, no official guidelines are Read more
Summary: Type 2 Diabetes Risk Evaluation Factsheet Purpose The Type 2 Diabetes Risk Evaluation is a Medicare-supported health assessment for eligible patients aged 40-49 at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It involves evaluating risk factors and initiating interventions if necessary. Depending on the time spent, this service is Read more
Navigating Co-Claiming in Medicare: A Comprehensive Guide for GPs. Introduction Co-claiming under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is a crucial aspect of billing for healthcare providers in Australia. Properly navigating the rules and regulations surrounding co-claiming ensures compliance, reduces the risk of audits, and protects against penalties. This article provides Read more
Q: Can our Practice lodge backdated claims for item 10997? The services were provided but not billed for. A: Backdated Lodgement of Bulk Bill Claims for Medicare Lodgement Timeframe Backdated Lodgements for Item 10997 Medicare Requirements: Important Consideration: Ensure that any claim on the date of the backdated 10997 was Read more
About the changes to Chronic disease management plans in November 2024. From 1 November 2024, MBS items will be changing to: Impact on GPs: GPs will lose the opportunity to bill GPMP as a stand-alone service. If there is no team to engage, there will be no Care Plan. Currently, Read more
Changes to Medicare Services Effective January 1, 2024 1. Smoking Cessation Support: 2. Continued COVID-19 Measures: 3. New Exemption for Urgent Care Clinics: 4. Extension of Pregnancy Support and Sexual Health Services: 5. Expansion of Telehealth Services to Hospital Outpatients: 6. Increases to Medicare Safety Net Thresholds: Always check item Read more
Question: “Can you explain the implications of the 19AA restriction for overseas-trained doctors like myself who are considering applying for permanent residency in Australia? How does it affect billing under Medicare, and what steps do I need to take to ensure a smooth transition while maintaining compliance with the regulations?” Read more