Purpose

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

The new fees were approved by the Repatriation Commission, following negotiations between the Department and the Australian Medical Association (AMA).

Fee increase advised in November 1998.

Departmental Instruction 43/98 of November 1998 advised claims assessors of fee increases for medical reports including GARP reports and CCPS reports.  The increase in respect of GARP reports and CCPS reports was an interim increase, pending the finalisation of negotiations with the AMA.

New fees are $10.30 per form

The new fees are $10.30 for each form completed.  This applies to GARP and CCPS forms.

New fees effective immediately

The Commission has approved the increased fees with immediate effect.

This means that the new fees will be payable in respect of any completed GARP or CCPS forms received from the date of this Instruction.

There will be no retrospective payment of the new fees.

Changes to CCPS letters and standard letters

Letters generated by CCPS will be amended with the new fees.  Claims assessors should check these letters to ensure that the new fee has been quoted.  If the old fee appears, claims assessors will need to manually alter the letters.

Any non-CCPS generated letters that are used to confirm appointments or request medical information will also need to be amended to reflect the new fees.

Enquiries

Any enquiries concerning this matter should be directed to Ros Dawson (Assistant Director, National Operations Policy) on (02) 6289 6570.