How to register for private health rebates in Australia (NSW)

Hi everyone

OK, so I am starting a part time physio practice (mobile) and will not be using HICCAPS (since they don't have a mobile terminal - to my initial shock).

I need to know how I register with private health insurance companies? Or do I even need to? i.e. so patients can go back to Bupa/HCF/etc, hand in a receipt and get their $20 approx back from their insurance.

A seemingly simple question but I have had trouble finding the answer.....

Thanks in advance

Mitch

Hello Mitch,
Long time since I did this, but I think the first thing to do is ensure you are regiistered with the Health Insurance Commission (HIC) which gives you Medicare, Veteran's Affairs etc numbers. Dependent upon which State you are in, you will have to contact the WorkCover and TAC / Motor Accident Board to register with them. Check the websites. If you are not registered with the HIC then the bigger Insurance companies will not talk to you.
You may have to supply your AHPRA registration number and possibly your Physio Association number if you are a Member. You will require liability insurances etc and may have to provide policy details. The next tricky bit is the part where you will be registered for each address you operate from, and as you will be mobile there has to be a 'Head' office, mailing address etc. You can state that you will be visiting patients from your registered office as home visits, therefore charging out visits from that address.
I may be incorrect on the above requirements, but from memory that is how it used to work. The lack of a mobile Hiccaps is archaic, but so too is the need for some computer operating systems to use old versions of Browsers that have been updated four times just to use the Medicare PKI key to process EPC payments! I kid you not - this from the same Government that wishes to introduce E-Health.

Unless things have changed, some Health funds require you to sign up with them specifically, which is a pain, but a once off pain. Hicaps terminals seem to have eased this problem, unless you are mobile. You will need to make your own judgements with each fund as to whether you become a preferred provider (I choose NOT) buy getting less per consultation so that your patient receivesmore. As a Mobile therapist you may be locked out of the preferred provider network even if you wanted to join, as the network is based upon where you operate from ie a fixed address - to protect those already signed up in each region.

The whole thing is a complete mess, which is strange given so called competition policy as operated by the ACCC.

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
MrPhysio+ Mark Quittner

Hi Mark

Thankyou for the information. I followed all this up and it definately helped point me in the right direction. And yes, I cannot believe these are the people who intend in rolling out E-health.......

Thanks again

Mitch

Glad to help Mitch.
Let me know should you require further advice. The APA is conducting a ebinar on e-health imlementation, should be interesting
given the problems the American Doctors are experiencing.
Cheers,
Mark Q
MrPhysio+ Healesville
‘Introduction to the national eHealth agenda, existing solutions and opportunities for physiotherapy'

schaperkruger_sm.jpg

Dr Louise Schaper and Jonathon Kruger

Have you recently received information about the roll out of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR)?

During this highly interactive webinar, members will receive the most up-to-date information on the national eHealth agenda and current eHealth solutions that are being used by physiotherapists.

We will be encouraging a rich dialogue with participants, providing tips and information on how physiotherapists can engage with the national eHealth agenda and discuss the important benefits of integrating eHealth in your work.

Dr Louise Schaper, CEO, Health Informatics Australia

Dr Schaper is a world leader in allied health informatics. Louise has a background in occupational therapy, a PhD on technology acceptance in healthcare, and is part of National e-Health Transition Authority’s Clinical Leads team.

Jonathon Kruger, GM Advocacy and International Relations, APA

Jonathon is a qualified physiotherapist with over 15 years of experience within the public health system in senior management roles. Jonathon possesses substantial expertise in public health policy and programs.

Time:


7.00pm - 8.15pm AEST

Date:


Monday 9 July

Location:


Online

Cost:


Free (Member only event)

CPD:


1

To register click here
and see further details.

Registrations close Thursday 5 July.

For any questions please email [email protected]