PSR repayments up 1160% in five years

Non-GP specialists are paying back big bucks, the watchdog says
Money

The total Medicare amount repaid by doctors through the Professional Services Review (PSR) has multiplied 1160% in five years.

The Medicare watchdog has revealed it concluded investigations into 101 doctors in the last financial year, resulting in the recovery of more than $29 million in fees.

It’s an increase of 40% on the year before, when the PSR secured about $21 million in repayments from 73 doctors.

Writing in the agency’s annual report, PSR director Professor Julie Quinlivan said investigations were becoming increasingly complex, involving more MBS items per case and higher sums of money.