Can doctors make claims without my knowledge?

[Miss_Dee]

Pretty sure they can, but if they get caught out, medicarewon't just issue them the payment. They will send you something to sign and send back stating that you agree to have the payment issued to them. A GP I was seeing awhile back had this happen as it looks like his partner was doing the dodge and claiming for consults he wasn't doing.

[Tinks]

I would ring Medicare and explain the situation to see if it's legal. If it's not, it's something they (medicare) need to be aware of.

[Floweryfields]

It's happened once before, I may have even posted about it back then, probably 18 mths ago or more. Same practice, but I had a blood test just with the practice nurse. Didn't sign anything other than the S&N blood thingo and then discovered, about 6 months later that it was charged as a level B consult with the doctor. I should have checked into it then.

If you made only 10 extra claims a week for patients you didn't actually see, that's a pretty fair cash earner!

[PinkPalace]

You will find the dr will have to sign the forms for authorisation even if he hasnt seen you, and therefore could charge.

[Floweryfields]

Oh right, still not sure how it would qualify as level B when it's not a long consultation at all.....anyway I can see where some certainly could take advantage.

[PinkPalace]

yeah not sure about that ausgirl.
i know my dr says to be "im going to charge this as a long consult if that is ok?"
and i dont mind - as it is over 15 mins

[Floweryfields]

Ahhh I've got it!! My doctor must charge from when your appointment should start! Bhaahaha They are always terribly behind! Perhaps that was the day I waited 1.5 hours to get it!!

[Rowellen]

I would think it is fair enough to charge you if you see the nurse as they don't have a separate nurses fee as far as I am aware. So the doctor has to pay the nurses out of their pay ITMS. Although I do think the dr should at least just see you even if only for a minute if only to cover their bums legally. When I have just seen the nurse at the practice I go to, the dr pops out between patients to make sure everything's hunky dory.