AMA WELCOMES NEW MINISTER
AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, welcomed Ms Nicola Roxon as the new Minister for Health and Ageing. The AMA looks forward to working with her to build a quality health system for Australia’s future.
AMA SURVEY ON PBS
A recent AMA survey of GPs and specialists found that 48% of GPs and 66% of specialists indicated they usually accessed information in the PBS using a hard copy. Of concern was that 85% of GPs and 76% of specialists using a hard copy were using an old copy (the Yellow Book). More concerning was that 66% of GPs and 82% of specialists indicated they were unaware of the need to order an updated hard copy.
The AMA is committed to working with the Government to ensure that prescribers have access to up to date information on medicines listings in the most convenient way possible and in a manner that meets their practice needs. The AMA will soon be discussing with the Government how to improve access to PBS information whether it be via an update hard copy or online.
To order your hard copy of each update of the PBS request an order form from CanPrint Communications, on 1300 730 236. To access the PBS online go to: http://www.pbs.gov.au/html/healthpro/home. If you would like to discuss any aspect of the on-line Schedule of Pharmaceutical benefits go to: http://www.pbs.gov.au/html/healthpro/feedback
REVIEW OF EASYCLAIM
As part of its National Compliance Program, Medicare Australia (MA) will regularly review a sample of services processed through Easyclaim, as it does for other claiming channels, to ensure that claims are being submitted and processed correctly.
Services may be verified through reviewing records held by MA and through telephone contact with the patient and/or health provider. Patients contacted as part of the review are advised that there is no suggestion of improper conduct and the interview is just to establish that the service claimed occurred and has been correctly processed.
REVIEW OF ITEM 900 AND HOME MEDICINE REVIEW (HMR)
Medicare Australia (MA) will be commencing a review of Item 900 Domiciliary Medication Management Reviews (DMMR) and Home Medicine Review (HMR) pharmacy claims as part of the National Compliance Program 2007-2008.
The aim is to obtain information to assist MA in understanding current claiming patterns and trends for DMMR/HMR. This will enable MA to better determine any further support or assistance that could be provided to medical practitioners and pharmacists, to ensure that Medicare benefits and pharmacy claims are being appropriately paid.
The review will involve matching HMR claims from pharmacies with Item 900 claims from medical practitioners and verifying the services with the pharmacy and/or patient.
AERODIOL DISCONTINUED
Due to reduced global demand manufacture of Aeordiol (oestradiol) will cease. Servier Laboratories advice that there will be sufficient stocks of the product available until end of January 2008 and Aerodiol will remain on the PBS until 1 April 2008. A information leaflet about the discontinuation will soon be included in Aerodiol packs.