Health Fund rebates on casted Orthotics

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Hi,
Has anyone noticed a sudden increase in the rebates from health funds on Orthotics (custom casted)?

I have just started a part time Podiatry business within a multi disciplinary practice and they do all of my bookings, billings etc. I usually charge 50% of Orthotic cost on the day of the cast and remaining on fitting.

The reception staff are saying that they have had Hicaps nightmares as health funds are often paying 100% back on casted orthotics now so the previous Podiatrist stopped taking a deposit at the casting appointment....because they were then having to do refunds through Hicaps as the Health Funds paying whole Orthotic cost back. Apparently it is a pain to do a refund! I am obviously reluctant not to charge a deposit in case they don't come back for Orthotics!

Has anyone else experienced a sudden hike in what is rebated through health funds? If so, do you still charge a deposit and refund if need be?

 

Can't say I have noticed, have not been looking closely.
Any specific funds?

 

Most funds will pay the entire orthotic device rebate at time of casting (with the exception of HCF, which requires prerequisite biomechanical item numbers be billed beforehand).

So, why don't you just put the entire amount through to HICAPS at the time of casting (F301 and F221), accept the respective health fund rebate as the deposit, and then tell the patient the remaining balance that they will need to pay, which you can collect upon fitting of the devices.

Don't try and charge 50% of the device and attempt to obtain two rebates, this would be a nightmare.