31 March Temporary changes to Locum Tenens March 31, 2020 By Danielle Cranefield Announcement, Department of Health 0 In order to provide greater flexibility to health professionals responding to the COVID-19 situation, the Department of Health will extend the locum tenens period from two weeks to twelve weeks. This extension is a temporary change to support the COVID-19 response, reducing the number of Medicare provider number applications and allowing faster processing of applications for health professionals who must have a Medicare provider number for each practice. The Department of Health is also looking at what else can be done to minimise administrative burden relating to provider number issues, including possible extension of current 19AB placements and 3GA programs. Once confirmed, the Department will write to each medical practitioner with details of any extensions provided. There has been no change to the health professionals eligible for the locum tenens. Restricted doctors who need a section 19AB exemption or a 3GA placement must still make an application for a section 19AB exemption or a placement. Participants in the OMPs programs are granted access to a higher Medicare rebate at a specific location. These Medicare provider numbers cannot be used at another practice because each new location must be assessed to determine if it is eligible for higher rebates under one of the OMPs programs. Related Articles Temporary changes to Medicare Program requirements under s19AA and 19AB of the Health Insurance Act National Immunisation Program changes from 1 July 2020 Dept of Health: Webinar on cardiac imaging changes 1 August 2020 Improved Medicare Compliance: Changes to Legislation On 1 July 2018 changes occured to the Health Insurance Act 1973, the Dental Benefits Act 2008 and the National Health Act 1953, through the Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Compliance and Other Measures) Act 2018 (the Act). MBS: Minor changes to MBS sleep study items From 1 November 2019, there will be a number of minor changes to some MBS items for sleep studies. Changes to MBS items – Assignment of benefit and signature requirement Comments are closed.