Medicare Benefits Schedule urgent after-hours services
The Department of Health and Aged Care recently undertook a campaign around the possible inappropriate use of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) urgent after-hours items 585 and 599. While only a small number of GPs received a letter, 40% were GPs in training.
The Department recognises there are individual providers who specialise in after-hours services to the community and are therefore claiming a high percentage of after-hours items.
Those undertaking an approved placement in general practice as part of a training program leading to the award of the FRACGP or training recognised by the RACGP, are eligible to bill these items. MBS Notes AN.0.9 and AN.0.19 contain more information about claiming requirements. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with these notes if you provide after-hours services in your practice. If you are unsure whether your medical indemnity insurance covers after-hours work or other services you provide as a registrar, you should seek advice from your insurer.
If you have any questions about the MBS or the compliance letters, please email the RACGP’s Funding and Health System Reform team.
You can find more resources to support correct MBS billing here.
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