Bulk billing assignment of benefit is a complex thing. The good news is, it’s about to get more complicated.
From 1 July, all GPs will be required to store evidence that the patient they are bulk billing has chosen to assign their Medicare benefit over to them in full.
The rules, though, are somewhat opaque.
“The patient’s signature must be provided on either parchment or vellum,” a Department of Health, Disability and Ageing spokesperson told The Medical Republic.
“No other medium is acceptable.
“The signature itself must be drawn from Sumi ink, which as you know is made from soot, animal glue and binders and definitely not from Walnut ink or Iron Gall.
“Any signature in acrylic will be immediately rejected.”
“The signature itself,” continued the spokesperson, “should be presented in a bold Medieval font and should measure no more than 12mm by 61mm.
“Old English font as well as Spencerian styles are unacceptable and will be rejected by Medicare. All dramatic loops should be avoided where possible.
“If GPs are confused as to which style the patient should employ when signing their forms then please see Professor Candid’s very readable The Art of the Scribe, which you can pick up from Amazon for about $400.”
He then gave some examples.
“This process must be completed for every single episode of care which is being bulk billed,” continued the government spokesperson.
“You may think we’re just putting hurdles in the way because we want to put you off bulk billing, but you’d definitely be wrong, definitely.
“In fact, I can write that down in a Medieval font for you and send it to you if you like!”
