Dont lose your PIP 1 - Best Practice News Alert 135

HEALTH & LIFE’S BEST PRACTICE NEWS ALERT Current circulation:

7036

DATE: ISSUE NO:

30th October 2006 135

Welcome to Health & Life’s free email newsletter service. Tell a friend that we would be happy to add their email address to the distribution list. This service is to provide Health and Life’s clients and those who attended our presentations with up to date information on key financial and practice management issues that may affect your practice. Please do not use this as a substitute to seeking professional advice.

Writer in charge: Mr David Dahm CPA, BA Acc, FTIA, FFin, FAAPM,GLF.

New Changes Do Not Lose Your PIP!!

Problem: Many practices have not registered for the new Information and Technology Practice Incentive Payments – Practices Must Urgently Register!

1.

If I do nothing will I lose a lot of money – Yes!

2.

Do it Now before 1st November 2006!

3.

What are the new requirements?

2. What should I do next?

New Changes Do Not Lose Your PIP!!

Problem: Many practices have not registered for the new Information and Technology (IM/IT)Practice Incentive Payments (PIP) – Practices Must Urgently Register!

1. If I do nothing will I lose a lot of money – Yes!

We have been receiving feed back that many practices have not applied for their IM/IT payments. We have been receiving reports many practices have not registered for the The Information Management / Information Technology (IM/IT) Incentive.

Our experience has been any changes to the PIP do not necessarily increase your Practice Incentive Payment but can reduce it up to one third if practices fail to register for new incentives. Most require a separate application to be made and are not automatically paid because the practice is already receiving the PIP. The new incentive has been designed to encourage the use of electronic patient records to record and store clinical information on the majority of active patients, including current and past major diagnoses and current medications.

2. Do it Now before 1st November 2006!

There is a catch to this new incentive: 1. The new payment commences from 1st November 2006; 2. To be eligible for the next quarters payment you must apply before 1st November 2006. There is no retrospective payment if you do register before this date; 3. Practices need to complete a separate application form. To be eligble go to: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/resources/incentives_allowances/ma_im_it_app lication_form.pdf. Call 1800 222 032 ring to see if you are registered.

4. Before you register make sure your practice will meet the compliance requirements.

(See below).

3. What are the new requirements?

The following extracts are from the Medicare Australia incentive program.

To be eligible for this incentive a practice must: •

Maintain electronic patient records, which include clinical data on allergies/sensitivities for the majority of active patients; and

•

Implement appropriate information security measures; and

•

Use appropriate security (e.g. encryption systems) when patient information and/or clinical data are transferred electronically.

Practices will need to answer Yes and No to the following types of questions: Does the practice:

1. Maintain electronic patient records that include clinical data on allergies / sensitivities for the majority of active patients?

2. Have Internet connected Personal Computers or an Internet connected Local Area Network?

3. Have a firewall installed for internet security purposes?

4. Have an IT security coordinator with a written role description?

5. Have documented IT security policies and procedures?

6. Have an IM/IT disaster recovery plan?

7. Have a data back-up procedure?

8. Have anti-viral software installed on all computers?

9. Have personal passwords for all staff to access appropriate patient health information?

10. Transfer patient information and/or clinical data electronically?

11. Use encryption for the electronic transfer of all patient information and clinical data.

2. So where to from here?

1.

Call the PIP line on1800 222 032 ring to see if you are registered;

2.

Immediately download and complete the application form at http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/resources/incentives_allowances/ma_im_i t_application_form.pdf;

3. Consult your adviser to discuss these issues. For more information about any issues raised in this article, call us on 1800 077 222 we are happy to receive any feedback and will provide a free initial telephone consult.

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Health and Life Pty Ltd (formerly acpm.com.au)

Accounting & Practice Management Services.

“Looking after your future” PO Box 8145 Station Arcade, ADELAIDE SA 5000 Telephone

(08) 8415 5400

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(08) 8231 6767

Email:

pa@healthandlife.com.au

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