After raising concerns that the signage practices must display as part of the new PIP could mislead patients, TMR can now confirm that additional posters are in development.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is developing additional signage for practices participating in its bulk billing practice incentive program (BBPIP) which will explain to patients that procedural items may still draw a gap fee.
The Medical Republic raised concerns about potential advertising issues with the department on Friday last week, after it released the mandatory artwork and display standards for practices participating in the BBPIP.
While these clinics must display signage saying they are a “Medicare bulk billing practice”, and advertise on Healthdirect as such, doctors can still technically privately bill procedural items without breaking the rules of the PIP program.
Under section 133 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, however, it is illegal for a regulated health service or a business that provides a regulated health service to advertise in a way that is “false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to be misleading or deceptive”.
There is a concern among some clinics that, should they charge a gap for a procedural item, a patient may make a complaint, citing the signage claiming that it is a fully bulk billing practice.
Contravening section 133 of the national law can lead to penalties of up to $60,000 for individuals or $120,000 for a body corporate.
When asked whether it had considered this scenario, a spokesperson for DoHDA told TMR that it was “developing additional posters that practices can use in their waiting areas about eligible services and where a fee may be charged”.
The spokesperson also said that, when registering as a bulk billing practice on Healthdirect, practices can use the free text field to note if services other than GP non-referred attendances are privately billed.
Georgie Haysom, the general manager of advocacy, education and research at medical indemnifier Avant, told TMR that many patients may not understand the distinction between a “consult” and a “procedure”.
“This creates a real risk of confusion and conflict at the front desk, which isn’t good for patients or practices,” Ms Haysom said.
“The doctor’s consultation is bulk billed, but if you need stitches, a fracture treated, or circulation testing done, those procedures may come with a fee.
“We want to see the government’s policy to improve bulk billing succeed. But successful implementation requires comprehensive clear and consistent communication.”
Avant is calling on the government to provide practices with clear, ready-to-use communication scripts and wording before the November 1 start date.
“Practices need practical tools they can use immediately – specific scripts for phone calls, exact wording for their websites, template signs for their reception counters,” she said.
Practices have just 24 hours from signing onto the BBPIP to order DoHDA-approved signage advertising stating that they are a “Medicare bulk billing practice”.
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Once received, practices have five business days to display their signage.
“Medicare Bulk Billing Practice signage must be clearly visible and prominently displayed, ensuring it can be seen from multiple angles and a reasonable distance,” DoHDA said.
“It should be positioned in a way that minimises glare, reflection or visual distortion.”
At least one sign must be placed near the main entrance, preferably at eye level and visible from 5-10m outside the clinic.
Inside the clinic, there must be at least one sign at or near the reception desk. This one should be either at eye level or on the desk itself, and be visible from about 1-2m away once inside the practice.
