Medicare

General Enquiries
Phone: 13 2011
Email: medicare.enq@hic.gov.au
GPO Box 9822, in your capital city

Camden Office
Shop 24 Village Arcade, Argyle St Camden 2570
Phone: (02) 4655 8304

Campbelltown Office
The Mall Shopping Centre, Queen St Campbelltown 2560

Doctor Enquiries
Phone: 13 2050, 13 2150

Medicare Levy Exemption Certification
Phone: 1300 300 271

Compensation and Medicare Entitlement Enquiries
Phone: 13 2127
Email: medicare.enq@hic.gov.au

Manager Compensation
GPO Box 4104 Sydney NSW 1007

90 Day Cheque Scheme
Phone: 1800 032 259

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Line
Phone: 1800 556 955

Medicare / DVA Stationery

For Medicare stationery, imprinters, plastic cards, brochures and posters contact the HIC printing contractor:

Leigh Mardon
Phone: 1800 067 307
Fax: (02) 6230 0477

Or mail to (?not DVA):
HIC
Locked Bag 4444
Tuggeranong ACT 2901

Medicare Number Hotline

Phone: 1300 302 122

Outer Metropolitan Areas Programs

Non VRed Medical Practitoners Program: aims to increase access to higher Medicare rebates for selected non-vocationally registered medical practitioners who commence work in a designated outer metropolitan area. Eligible medical practitioners will be required to complete an alternative pathway program for vocational registration.
Phone: 1800 727 899
Email: health.workforce@health.gov.au

GP Registrars Program: aims to require registrars undertaking the general stream of vocational training to complete a supervised placement in designated outer metropolitan areas.
Phone: 1800 667 677
Email: GP.Education@health.gov.au

Specialist Trainees and Medical Researchers Program: aims to enable specialist trainees and medical researchers to work in supervised positions in outer metropolitan areas.
Phone: 1800 727 899
Email: health.workforce@health.gov.au

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

General enquiries
Phone: 1800 020 613
Stationery: 132 290
Hearing and Speech Impaired: 1800 552 152
Email: pbs.enq@hic.gov.au
GPO Box 9826, in your capital city

Invitro Fertilisation/Gamete Inter-Fallopian Transfer Benefits Program
Phone: 03 6215 5728 (call to Tasmania)

Botox Injection Program
Phone: 03 6215 5728 (call to Tasmania)

Nursing Home Medication Review Program
Phone: 03 6215 5730 (call to Tasmania)

Stoma Benefits Program
Phone: 03 6215 5654 (call to Tasmania)

Prescription Pads and Authority Forms

Supplies of personalised PBS prescription pads and authority forms may be obtained by completing and order form and returning to:
Prescription Pad Order Clerk
Pharmaceutical Benefits Branch
HIC
GPO Box 9826
Sydney NSW 2001

The HIC also provides prescription forms in either continuous or single sheet format suitable for use in medical computer systems. These forms meet both State and Commonwealth laws and are available in units of 2000 up to a maximum of 6000 per order for each provider, free of charge.

Phone: 132 290

Rural Retention Program

Phone: 1800 010 550

National Relay Service

For hearing and speech impaired.
Phone: 133 677

Telephone Typewriter Service (TTY)

Phone: 1800 552 152

Practice Incentives Program

Practice Incentives Program
GPO Box 2572
Adelaide SA 5001
Phone: 1800 222 032
Fax: (08) 8274 9352
Email: pip@hic.gov.au

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) - Doctors Priority Line

The Doctors Priority Line is free for GPs who provide a service that is claimable under Medicare. The line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the cost of a local call. Funded by the Dept of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs and has 2000 qualified interpreters in more than 100 languages.

Doctors Priority Line: 1300 131 450
Phone: (02) 6264 1777
Fax: (02) 6264 1528
Website: www.immi.gov.au/general/doctor/index.htm

Australian Childhood Immunisation Register

GPO Box M933, Perth, WA 6001
Phone: 1800 653 809 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
Fax: (08) 9214 8163
Stationery: 1800 067 307
Internet help desk: 1300 650 039
Email: acir@hic.gov.au
Website: www.hic.gov.au

General Practice Immunisation Incentives Scheme

Phone: 1800 246 101

Australian Organ Donor Register

GPO Box 711, Hobart, Tas 7001
Phone: 1800 777 203
Email: aodr@hic.gov.au
Website: www.hic.gov.au/organ

Federal Government 30% Rebate on Private Health Insurance

General enquiries
Phone: 1800 687 296
Cash claiming enquiries
Phone: 13 6221
Tax option enquiries
Phone: 13 2862

Hearing Services Benefits Program

Phone: 03 6215 5655 (call to Tasmania)

Cleft Lip and Palate Scheme

A scheme to assist payments to orthodontists for those with cleft lip and palate
Phone: 1300 652 492
Email: medicare.enq@hic.gov.au

Cleft Pals
A support group for those with cleft lip and palate
Phone: (02) 9294 8944

Doctor Shopping Hotline
Prescription Shopping Information Service

The Doctor Shopping Hotline has been replaced by the Prescription Shopping Information Service, using the same telephone number. Doctors need to register to access the service, which is voluntary. Patients captured by the service:
- Have been supplied with PBS medicines prescribed by six or more different doctors (not specialists) within a three month period,
- Have abtained 25 or more PBS items for target medicines in a three month period, or
- Have obtained 50 or more PBS items ina three month period.
Target medicines include analgesics, antiepileptics, anti-Parkinsonian drugs, psycholeptics, psychoanaleptics and all other nervous system drugs.

Freecall: 1800 631 181
Fax: (02) 6124 7820

HIC Online

What is HIC Online?
HIC Online allows the receptionist or practice staff member to electronically lodge a claim on behalf of the patient on the day the consultation occurs. It also allows doctors to lodge their bulk bill claims electronically over the Internet. The application is being integrated into the practice management system, which can use information already stored to generate an electronic claim. Private accounts can be transmitted in real time or by the store and forward method, and bulk bill claims by the store and forward method only.

Why should I connect to the new system?
The integrated system offers:
- reduced paperwork as supporting documentation no longer needs to be sent to HIC
- there should be minimal need for practice staff to re-key information as HIC software is integrated into the practice management system and builds a claim from information already stored
- greater accuracy as a result of built-in edit checking for patient claims and, later, online eligibility checking for direct bill claims. This will lead to lower rate of rejected claims and improved reconciliation for practices.
- certainty the claim has been lodged and the opportunity to reduce bad debts, particularly when combined with the 90 day cheque scheme available to general practitioners.
- the highest levels of confidentiality, privacy and authentication available for transmitting medical data, through Public key Infrastructure (PKI).
- the opportunity to provide improved service to patients

How will the security of patients' information be ensured?
New HIC Online solutions use Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to ensure secure communications across the health sector. PKI is the leading international system for online security and privacy. It employs modern cryptology and follows stringent standards to ensure that all information electronically transmitted to and from HIC is secure, private and confidential.

To use Public Key Infrastructure
All HIC Online users need an electronic identity known as a digital certificate. Once the Health eSignature Authority (HeSA) approves registration for the individual certificates, each user is issued with a personal identification code-protected secure token. This token stores the digital certificate, which will secure and verify the claim information transmitted to and from HIC.

Each transmitting location needs a digital certificate. Once HeSA approves the registration for the location certificate the authorised representative is issued with a personal identification code-protected 3.5" floppy disk. The disk contains the digital certificate, which is installed onto the location's system or systems to electronically sign and decrypt documents. The certificate will be used with HIC Online applications to secure the claim information transmitted to and from HIC.

The role of the Health eSignature Authority
HeSA was established to facilitate the introduction of PKI into the health sector, enabling the health sector to safely transmit information online. It was established as an independent subsidiary of HIC in 2000.

HeSA registers health professionals such as general practitioners, pharmacists, pathologists and others in the health sector. HeSA performs essential user identity checks before issuing digital certificates that allow secure online communications. The processes for issuing a certificate provide the trust that professionals working online expect.

What can I expect from future releases of HIC Online?
Other features such as lodging Department of Veterans Affairs medical claims, being able to transmit Australian Childhood Immunisation Register information and the availablity of different platforms will be incorporated in upgrades later in 2003.

Phone: 1800 700 199
Email: hic.online@hic.gov.au
Contact your software vendor to see if they have integrated HIC's software into their applications.

eBusiness Service Centre

The HIC eBusiness Service Centre handle enquiries concerning PBS product sign-up and further information on the PBS authorities website including sign-up procedures for the new PBS authorities website, and copies of information kits and user support guide.

Solutions Available
- Medicare - eligibility/entitlement checks, bulk billing claiming, private billing claimimg, in-patient medical claiming (gap cover arrangements)
- Private health funds / ECLIPSE - patient verification, in-patient medical claiming (gap cover arrangements)
- Australian Childhood Immunisation Register - notification of immunisation
- Department of Veterans Affairs - claiming

It also handles technical support enquiries including:
- inability to transmit information
- clarification of system messages
- system function and use
- system failures

Phone: 1300 788 008
Website: www.hic.gov.au/providers

Medclaims

Phone: 1300 788 008

Broadband for Health Program

Supports broadband internet services in general practices. Eligible general practices will be reimbursed for the cost of installation and subsidised for 12 months of on-going costs (the monthly service fee) of a business grade broadband service supplied by a qualified internet service provider.

Information hotline: 1800 818 111
Website: www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/Broadband-1

Medical Indemnity Contact Centre

Reply Paid 9822
Hobart Tas 7001
Phone: 1800 813 167
Fax: (03) 6215 5322
Email: medical.indemnity@hic.gov.au
Website: www.hic.gov.au

Family Assistance Office

Phone: 13 6150
Email: www.familyassist.gov.au

Hearing and Speech Impaired TTY

Phone: 1800 552 152
Email: refer to relevant program

Feedback Reporting Facility

The HIC Feedback Reporting Facility (FRF) is a secured Internet site that allows you to view your HIC feedback reports.

The FRF provides:
- access to your most up-to-date Medicare service utilisation and summary PBS information;
- consultation information for general practice accreditation purposes;
- a peer group allowing you to compare your profile; and
- information on your rendered services, Medicare benefits, pathology and diagnostic imaging requests.

For more information:
Information Services Branch, HIC
PO Box 1001
Tuggeranong ACT 2901
Phone: (02) 6124 4198
Email: provider.feedback@hic.gov.au
Website: www1.hic.gov.au/general/prdfiprghome

Department of Health and Ageing (Commonwealth)

ACT:
Woden Town Centre
Furzer St Woden ACT 2601
GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: (02) 6289 1555
Fax: (02) 6281 6946

NSW:
Level 7, 1 Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
PO Box 9848, Sydney NSW 2001
Phone: (02) 9263 3555

Health eSignature Authority

HeSA oversees HIC Online and PBS online services, as well as Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for health. Digital certificate registration with HeSA is currently sponsored by HIC for healthcare professionals.

The PKI Customer Service Centre handles enquiries concerning PKI registration, installation and support. An electronic registration pack is available.

PKI Customer Service Centre
RA Operations Manager, HeSA
Medicare Australia
Locked Bag 6666
Tuggeranong ACT 2901
Phone: 1300 660 035
Fax: (02) 6124 4297
Email: registration@hesa.com.au
Website: www.hesa.com.au

HealthInsite

HealthInsite is the Australian Government's Internet gateway to reliable health information at www.healthinsite.gov.au.

It is designed to provide consumers with easy access to a wide range of quality assessed, relevant health information from credible information partners on a single website so that they can make more informed healthcare decisions. A rigorous quality assurance process is overseen by HealthInsite's Editorial Board comprising doctors, consumers and health information specialists. HealthInsite does not offer advice and is not a substitute for a visit to the doctor, but will complement the work of GPs by providing consumers with reliable health information.

Patients who understand their conditions or diseases well are more likely to take an active role in managing their health care. This can mean greater compliance with treatment regimes, better patient outcomes and more effective consultations. HealthInsite not only informs consumers, but also provides health professionals, providers and researchers with a major information resource for both their own use and patient referral.

For more information, brochures or posters, contact the HealthInsite Team on (02) 6289 7474.
HealthInsite: www.healthinsite.gov.au.

Health Insurance Commission

National Office:
134 Reed St North
Tuggeranong ACT 2901
Phone: (02) 6124 6333
Fax: (02) 6282 5052
Website: www.hic.gov.au

NSW / ACT Office:
Colonial State Bank Tower
130 George St
Parramatta NSW 2150
Phone: (02) 9895 3333
Fax: (02) 9895 3082