Better health and ageing for all Australians

Pharmacy

Pharmacy Connectivity Incentive Program - Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet on the Pharmacy Connectivity Incentive Program available under the Fourth Community Pharmacy Agreement.

In this section:

Background

The Fourth Community Pharmacy Agreement (Fourth Agreement) provides funding of up to $20 million for e-Health initiatives involving community pharmacies. The Pharmacy Connectivity Incentive (PCI) Program has been allocated funding from the e-Health initiative. The PCI Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and will be managed and administered by Medicare Australia and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.

What is the Pharmacy Connectivity Incentive Program?

The PCI Program started on 1 January 2008 and provides financial incentives for community pharmacies to maintain business grade broadband internet connections. The PCI Program provides incentives ranging from $700 to $880 to community pharmacies to help meet the installation and usage costs of broadband services, and will conclude on 30 June 2010.

The PCI program aims to:
  • increase the number of pharmacies using business grade broadband;
  • promote the use of PBS Online;
  • promote the continued use of business grade broadband connections by community pharmacies; and
  • increase awareness and understanding by community pharmacists of internet technologies and IT issues more generally.
The PCI Program includes a Start-up Security Allowance that will be made available to eligible pharmacies that have not previously been paid a Security Awareness and Conformance payment under the Broadband for Health: Pharmacy Program, or a Start-up Security Allowance payment under the PCI Program. The Start-up Security Allowance is a one-off payment to community pharmacies to encourage implementation of adequate internet security and business processes.

Under the PCI Program, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia maintains a list of Endorsed Providers offering Eligible Service Plans. To be eligible for the incentive, a pharmacy must be connected to an Eligible Service Plan with an Endorsed Provider for a minimum of 12 months. In addition, a pharmacy must be transmitting claims via PBS online.

Further Information

More information on the PCI Program, including the list of Endorsed Providers and Eligible Service Plans, links to forms, Participation Guidelines and answers to frequently asked questions, is available at www.guild.org.au/pci, or call the Pharmacy Guild on 02 6270 1888 for more information.

Further information, links to forms and Participation Guidelines are available at the Medicare Australia website, http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/pbs/fourth-agreement/pci.shtml or call Medicare Australia on1800 818 111 for more information.