First BBPIP payments due by end of January

The initial payment from the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP) should be in bank accounts by the end of this month, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DoHDA) says.
 
It will be the first time clinics and GPs who signed up to the Federal Government’s signature policy have received funding since its launch on 1 November last year.
 
As of 8 January, there were more than 3200 practices registered nationally for the program, a DoHDA spokesperson told newsGP.
 
That means hundreds more clinics have registered since Senate Estimates hearings last month when officials revealed 2902 practices were signed up for the program as of 30 November. Of those, 58% were previously fully bulk billing.
 
A tool to monitor eligibility, forecast assessments and get final assessments was also launched on the Services Australia website last month. 

As well as keeping practices updated on eligibility requirements, it is designed to help monitor bulk billing percentages and estimate practice payments.
 
A final assessment confirms if requirements have been met and shows the final payment for the quarter.
 
In a December update, DoHDA advised clinics and GPs to check details of their registration start dates, as well as bank details and to keep accreditation current on the Services Australia website.
 
It also reminded clinics to give separate provider numbers for each site.
 
To be eligible for the 12.5% loading payment on top of the Medicare benefits paid from eligible services, every GP at each participating practice needs to bulk bill every eligible service.
 
The payment is split, with half going to individual GPs and half to the clinic owners.
 
For more information visit the DoHDA’s website. Step-by-step instructions for adding bank details are also available.
 
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BBPIP Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program