C46/1997 INCREASE IN PAYMENT FOR CCPS MEDICAL FORMS

Purpose

The purpose of this Departmental Instruction is to advise claims assessors of the new fee payable for CCPS forms completed by medical practitioners.

Current fee

The fee payable for forms completed by medical practitioners is currently $9.50 per form.  This includes GARP assessment forms, medical report forms, and diagnostic report forms.

New fee

The new fee for completion of these forms will be $9.65 per form.  Following consultation with the Australian Medical Association, the new fee will take effect from 1 November 1997.

Payment of the new fee

The new fee of $9.65 per form will be payable for:

• forms completed in respect of medical examinations carried out on or after 1 November 1997; and
• medical report forms and diagnostic report forms (where there has been no consultation or examination) completed and signed by a medical practitioner on or after 1 November 1997.

Continuing payment of the old fee

Until 31 January 1998, accounts from medical practitioners for:

• forms completed in respect of medical examinations carried out before 1 November 1997, or
• medical report forms or diagnostic report forms completed and signed before 1 November 1997,

will be paid at the old fee of $9.50 per form.

Forms received from 1 February 1998 onwards

The new rate of $9.65 per form will be paid in respect of all completed forms received from medical practitioners on or after 1 February 1998, even if the old rate has been quoted on the account form and regardless of the date of the examination or date on which the form was completed.  It is advisable that, when paying these accounts, claims assessors should advise the medical practitioner of the reason for the discrepancy between the rate claimed and the rate paid.

Letters requesting medical practitioners to complete forms

Letters generated by CCPS will be amended with the new rate.  As 1 November 1997 approaches, claims assessors should check letters requesting medical practitioners to complete forms to ensure that the new fee is quoted.  If the old rate still appears, claims assessors will need to manually alter the letters.

Any non-CCPS generated letters which are used to confirm appointments will also need to be amended to reflect the new rate.