Workers’ comp insurer pushes for cut to ‘soaring’ medical rebates
iCare is also suggesting injured workers pay a gap fee
Doctors’ fees could be cut and injured workers forced to pay a gap payment for medical treatment under a suggested overhaul to the workers’ compensation insurance scheme in NSW.
“Currently, the gazette fees paid to surgeons for [compensation] claims are up to four times those of the MBS, making them the most expensive in the country,” the state’s largest work compensation insurer iCare says.
In its 50-page submission to a review of the scheme, the company cites examples of so-called “fee discrepancies”, such as a shoulder reconstruction costing $4290 under the scheme.
It says the MBS currently offers a patient rebate of $956.50 for the procedure.
