GP anaesthetists targeted with ‘nudge’ letters over MBS billing
But RDAA says vast majority of the doctors' claims are justified, especially those in rural areas.
The Department of Health has sent out a fresh batch of ‘nudge’ letters, this time targeting GPs with alleged inappropriate billing of anaesthetic MBS items.
The letters were sent to 199 GPs last week — including 128 GP anaesthetists — asking them to either review and repay any incorrect claims, or justify their claims.
The letters state that Medicare records suggest the doctors claimed MBS items 20100-21992 and 23010-24136 without an eligible therapeutic or diagnostic procedure being billed for the same patient episode.
However, the RDAA, which was consulted on the wording of the letters, said most GP anaesthetists’ claims would have been appropriate.
