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Red tape cut on care plans

Discussion in 'Australia' started by LuckyLisfranc, Dec 11, 2008.

  1. LuckyLisfranc

    LuckyLisfranc Well-Known Member


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    From:http://www.6minutes.com.au/articles/z1/view.asp?id=433358

     
  2. Adrian Misseri

    Adrian Misseri Active Member

    More changes? ... Somethimes I think that all the EPC stuff is more trouble than it's worth. Seems to change on the turn of the weather.....
    Hopefully this will see it a bit more user friendly.....
     
  3. Cameron

    Cameron Well-Known Member

    Netizens

    From today's Australian on line

    http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24786645-23289,00.html

    “It appears that only a fraction of people with a management plan get referred on for allied health services. The majority (72 per cent) of allied health services provided are for physiotherapy and podiatry/chiropody.”

    The reporter observes
    "........ It makes no sense to continue down the same track, throwing good money after bad, if the current system is not amenable to use by busy GPs or does not deliver the best outcomes for patients."

    Footnote
    Having worked in Chronic Disease and Diabetes Education for the last three years I would have to say one further frustration about EPC is a reluctance of many pod practitioners to offer their services. Most defend their action by feeling they do not receive enough money. No surprise that GPs, knowing this do not refer on. There is always more than one side to argument

    What say you?
    toeslayer
     
  4. LuckyLisfranc

    LuckyLisfranc Well-Known Member

    I dont understand that!

    I charge my typical fee for a consultation (regardless of the 'type' of patient it is) - and use the appropriate item number. The patient then has a 'gap' fee which is the difference between the Medicare rebate and my fee.

    The majority of GPs and specialists in my area certainly don't bulk bill, and charge a fee they feel is commensurate from a commercial and professional perspective. Patient's are use to making a small or moderate co-payment - I know my family is from all the kids medical bills...

    Whilst bulk billing might be suitable for some podiatrists, I don't feel by any stretch that the Medicare rebate is sufficient to cover my overheads. Hence the gap, which I have yet to find any complaints about (obviously pensioners are the greatest users of this program). They pay up front, claim from Medicare directly, and we don't need to deal with any administrative issues (the onus is not on us then to prove the GPs paperwork is in order). I would suggest that even a small co-payment of a couple of dollars would make patients consider the true 'cost' of the service, and not take advantage or devalue a 'free' service (I have had experience with this in other government funded programs - plenty of 'no shows', lack of motivation to take advice, etc).

    I note from the article Camerone mentions above:

    If the APodC was smart, they would be arguing that the Medicare rebate for podiatry services *should not* be set in line with other allied health practitioners - whose overheads may be simply a pen and paper (eg dietitian). I would strongly advocate that we should be having patients receive a rebate closer to the dental rebate for a consultation (around $75) - considering sterilisation, equipment and medical supplies are more closely matched to this professional group.

    A simple argument that would be hard to ignore.

    LL
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2008
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