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Hi

I'm a UK trained pod working in a small rural public pod service i.e. I am it. I have recently gained my provider number, but I'm not sure what I can use them for. Can't find any info through medicare website or their staff, not very helpful.

I know I can order x-rays and some pathology, but if someone could give me a more comphrensive list would be very grateful. Also, does the patient get charged for this, I am getting conflicting answers from different sources!!.

Many Thanks

Welcome to the 2-tiered Australian health system.

In the public sector, a provider number doesn't really do a lot for you - it is of more importance when dealing with the Health Insurance Commission (HIC) in the private sector.

A provide number allows you/your patients:
1. claim rebates from Medicare for 2 (non-public) imaging item numbers (Podiatrists may request the following items: 57521, 57527)
(see detail at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/41F797F37D1A0144CA2571C6007E2D57/$File/NovCat5.pdf )
2. claim certain podiatry services through medicare
3. process health insurance claims

Other than that, it is just identifier for you in the private health/Medicare system.

To order x-rays in your public hospital, you need to refer your patients to the radiology department using the hospital forms, which typically do not require a provider number (it depends which state you practice in). Liaise with them directly. So too for pathology. That being said, some public radiologists have a "right of private practice" and will also accept private radiology referrals and typicall bulk-bill these (ie no additional cost to the patient).

Your patients cannot claim (private) Medicare pathology rebates with a referral from you, but hopefully this might change soon with the lobbying occuring from APodC.

Hope this helps clarify things a little.

LL

Thank you for the quick reply, so if I have my head around this:
pathology the patient needs to pay and no rebate
x-ray - no cost or full rebate.

I love working over here and where I am, but sometimes the health service completely baffles me!! I also like the fact that when asked what my job is, people actually know what a podiatrist is, so I don't have to explain that no, I don't work with children or have anything to do with diets!!! But the down side is that they also think I'm rich...until I tell them I work in public health and then I get the sympathy look!!