GPs are sharing tactics for maximising Medicare billing on doctors-only Facebook groups.
GPs are sharing tactics for maximising Medicare billing on doctors-only Facebook groups, including sharing a list of so-called “little frauds” and techniques for “packing and stacking” their billing so multiple services are billed from single patient attendances.
“If you bill Medicare for the sole purpose of financial gain it is illegal,” said Dr Margaret Faux, a researcher and Medicare expert whose law firm provides free information on correct Medicare billing. Many GPs posted that they were impressed with the results and wanted to know more about the “pack and stack” method for squeezing the most out of Medicare.
Packing and stacking involves maximising the number of items Medicare is billed for during each patient attendance, leading to more revenue for the doctor, and encouraging patients to return frequently for more check-ups, or to receive test results or follow-up care. “I say to fellow GPs they should not bill anything to Medicare that they wouldn’t be charging if that patient wasn’t there. That is really the definition of maximising rebates. Otherwise, it’s maximising revenue and possibly milking the system.”The RACGP, the professional body for GPs, said it didn’t support maximising Medicare billing for the sake of boosting revenue, but multiple billings were often the best way to reflect the care given to a patient.
Many doctors were under-billing or not claiming rebates because of the complexity of the Medicare claims process, he said.The group said it is lobbying for a simpler Medicare billing structure to help address doctor’s concerns.
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