GP who treated up to nine acupuncture patients at once repays $360,000 in Medicare rebates
A GP has repaid $360,000 in Medicare claims for acupuncture after a review found he had treated up to nine patients at the same time.
The Professional Services Review (PSR) said the doctor was in the top 1% of claimants for items 193, 197 and 199 — for consultations provided by doctors endorsed by the Medical Board of Australia to perform acupuncture.
The items attract rebates of $40.55, $78.55 and $115.60, respectively, depending on the length of the consultation, which must include a history, clinical examination, management plan and referrals for investigations where necessary.
The GP admitted he had engaged in inappropriate practice and agreed to repay the rebates after the PSR found it was unclear from his “sometimes illegible” progress notes whether he had examined patients, implemented management plans or met the minimum time requirements for the item claimed.
