The Department of Health is sending out letters to 100 GPs, dermatologists and surgeons frequently billing Medicare for skin excisions in its latest attempt to “nudge” doctors’ behaviour.

The letters, which follow campaigns to reduce inappropriate prescribing of opioids and antibiotics, do not include accusations of malpractice.

But they include statistics comparing the doctor’s claims for skin excisions with their peers, and reminding them of the threat of administrative penalties and legal action if false claims are identified in an audit.

“Between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2018, of your total claims for 31361 and 31363, on 85% of occasions, your claims were for the larger skin excision item (31363), compared to an average of 41% claimed by your peers,” one letter seen by Australian Doctor says.