Increased Medicare compliance audit initiative

As part of the initiative, an additional 2000 MBS compliance audits will be carried out each financial year from 1 January 2009. This will increase Medicare Australia's audit coverage to nearly 3 per cent of the provider population, compared to current audit coverage of less than 1 per cent.

The government also announced that it will introduce legislation to:
     • create an obligation on providers to produce records substantiating their MBS claims
     • establish new financial penalties for providers who have claimed MBS items incorrectly.

The Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) and Medicare Australia have produced two information sheets following meetings with organisations representing providers, consumers and privacy groups.

These information sheets provide more information about how the proposed legislation changes will operate, and responds to common questions from peak bodies. The information sheets outline:
     • how providers are selected for MBS compliance audits
     • why the changes to the audit process are being made
     • what the Government is doing to help providers comply.

For a complete Information sheet please click HERE

 

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