News
A message from Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan – March 2023 part 1
A newsletter from Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan with updates from the nursing and midwifery sector, some personal priorities and highlights, and an insight on what's happening across the Department of Health and Aged Care.
A message from Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan – March 2023 part 2
A newsletter from Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan with updates from the nursing and midwifery sector, some personal priorities and highlights, and an insight on what's happening across the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Victorian woman found guilty of defrauding Medicare
A Victorian medical receptionist has been sentenced today to 2 years imprisonment, with a minimum term of 12 months by the Melbourne County Court after pleading guilty to charging more than $181,000 in fraudulent Medicare payments.
Ashgrove pharmacist found guilty for more than $1.9m in Medicare fraud
A pharmacist has been convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment today, after pleading guilty to fraudulently claiming more than $1.9 million in payments under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Jail time for Pharmacist and Practice Manager
A Pharmacist and Practice Manager from across Australia were sentenced last week after fraudulently claiming more than $420,000 in payments under the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Release of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report
The Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report is now available. It outlines a vision for Australia’s primary care system of the future.
Medical receptionist sentenced to jail for more than $253k of Medicare fraud
A medical receptionist from south-eastern Queensland has been convicted after fraudulently claiming more than $253,000 in Medicare payments.
A message from Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan – December 2022
A newsletter from Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan with updates from the nursing and midwifery sector, some personal priorities and highlights, and an insight on what's happening across the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Medibank Private and AHM data breach
Find out what your need to do if your Medicare number, or Medicare provider number has been exposed.
Cairns medical receptionist sentenced to jail for $178k Medicare fraud
A Cairns woman has been convicted after pleading guilty to fraudulently claiming more than $178,000 in Medicare payments.
First meeting of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce
The Strengthening Medicare Taskforce, chaired by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler MP, met in Sydney on 29 July 2022 for the first time. A communique outlining discussions has been released.
Final report of the ECG Review Committee and Government response
We have published the final report of Electrocardiogram (ECG) Review Committee. The committee reviewed Medicare Schedule Benefits (MBS) plain ECG items, which were introduced on 1 August 2020 following recommendations from the MBS Review Taskforce.
Health Funding Facts update
The Australian Government announced a record $503 billion investment in our universal health system in the 2021–22 Budget. We’ve updated our Health Funding Facts tool to use the latest figures. Find out more about our key investment areas.
Permanent telehealth for all Australians
Temporary telehealth services introduced as part of COVID-19 measures will become a permanent service in our health system.
Medicare Benefits Schedule continuous review to improve patient care
Medicare items and services will be reviewed by experts on an ongoing basis to ensure the Medicare Schedule remains contemporary and provides universal access to the best technologies and services under new arrangements introduced by the Australian Government.
Chief Executive Medicare proceedings in the Federal Court against Specialist Diagnostic Services Pty Ltd
On 9 February 2021, the Chief Executive Medicare instituted civil proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against Specialist Diagnostic Services Pty Ltd (SDS) on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Medicare Benefits Schedule Electrocardiogram Review Committee – appointment of Committee Members
The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Review Committee was established in March 2021 to review electrocardiogram (ECG) items introduced on 1 August 2020, following recommendations from the MBS Review Taskforce.
Medicare Benefits Schedule Electrocardiogram Review Committee – expressions of interest now closed – submissions open until 1 April 2021
Nominations for the Electrocardiogram (ECG) Review Committee have now closed. Nominations are currently being reviewed and nominees will be notified of the outcome of their nomination as soon as possible.
Medicare Benefits Schedule Electrocardiogram review committee – call for expressions of interest to participate
Clinicians, academics and consumers are invited to express their interest in participating in the MBS ECG Review Committee, which will review changes to MBS ECG items introduced on 1 August 2020 following implementation of recommendations from the MBS Review Taskforce.
Response to media on new MBS items for eating disorders
In response to this morning’s media the Department of Health advises that the new items that will be available from 1 November 2019 involve no changes to those health care professionals who are able to treat eating disorders under the MBS.
Action to support patients following nuclear medicine scan shortages
The Australian Government is working proactively to find solutions to support patients following an unexpected shortage of nuclear medicine scans in hospitals and medical centres.
New guide to help patients understand fees and out of pocket costs
The Australian Government and the AMA have launched a new guide to help Australians make decisions about medical treatments.
New Medicare data shows bulk billing at record levels
New Medicare data shows nearly 9 out of 10 Australians visit their GPs without paying a cent with GP bulk billing rates at a record 86% in the 9 months from July 2018 to March 2019.
$187 million to increase patient rebates for 176 General Practitioners (GP) service items on the MBS
The Australian Government is providing $187 million to increase patient rebates for 176 General Practitioners (GP) service items on the Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS). These services include health assessments, chronic disease management plans, and mental health services provided by GPs.
Australian Government awards $5 million for eating disorder research
The Australian Government is providing $5 million for ground-breaking research into the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of eating disorders.
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