Preparing Your Team for Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program Changes

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris and Riwka are joined by Louise Riley, Bianca McCulloch, Jacob Grooby, and Alexis Mohay from the Department of Health and Aged Care to discuss the latest changes to bulk billing and the launch of the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP).

The panel addresses common questions from registered practices, clarifying the practical and administrative impacts of the new incentive arrangements. Recorded live from a FAQ webinar session focused on supporting practice managers, owners, and clinical teams in understanding the changes necessary for successful implementation.

Key Points:

• Two Key Bulk Billing Changes: Explaining the distinction between the expanded bulk billing incentives (with increased eligibility for patients) and the new Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP), which provides an additional 12.5% incentive payment for eligible practices.
• Eligibility and Registration: Practices can choose to participate in the BBPIP or continue with current billing arrangements. Registration for BBPIP is available via the MyMedicare portal from 1 November, with flexibility to join or withdraw later.
• Bulk Billing Item Requirements: Participating practices must bulk bill all General Practitioner Non-Referred Attendance (GP NRA) services for eligible patients. Procedures and other service types are exempt. Non-BBPIP practices can still claim standard bulk billing incentives as the eligibility criteria have been expanded.
• Triple Incentive Clarification: Not all incentive payments are tripled. Only those items previously eligible for the triple incentive will remain so; other items retain their current rate.
• Practice Management Systems: Software vendors will update items automatically, practices are advised to check for updates and retain concession card information for differential billing on non-bulk billed services.
• Administrative Arrangements and Errors: Minor administrative errors in billing will not result in the loss of the entire quarterly incentive payment. Corrections and adjustments can be made, and a small margin for error is allowed.
• Payments and Indexation: The 12.5% incentive is calculated on eligible GP NRA items and paid quarterly. The amount increases in line with MBS indexation, but the percentage itself remains static.
• Advertising and Signage: Participating practices must clearly advertise their bulk billing status, including updated signage (available to order via the Department’s website) and register details with Healthdirect.
• Non-Medicare Services and Private Billing: Practices may still privately bill for procedures or non-NRA services and set appropriate fees for non-MBS services (e.g. iron infusions).
• Compliance: The importance of using reliable, up-to-date resources and departmental FAQs to support team understanding and avoid misinformation.

Links & Resources:

• Cubiko FAQ webinar session: https://www.cubiko.com.au/resources/bb-incentive-faq/
• Cubiko’s Bulk Billing Incentive Resource Hub and Webinar Recordings: https://www.cubiko.com.au/blog/resource-group/bulk-billing-incentives/
• RACGP Resource Hub https://www.racgp.org.au/advocacy/advocacy-resources/november-changes-to-medicare
• DOHA Resource Hub: http://www.health.gov.au/BBPIP
• The Services Australia Health Professional Education website: https://hpe.servicesaustralia.gov.au/
• Government Resource: GP NRA Items: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/bulk-billing-practice-incentive-program-eligible-services?language=en
• RACGP Bulk Billing Incentive Fact Sheet: https://www.racgp.org.au/FSDEDEV/media/documents/Advocacy/Medicare/Appendix-A-Fact-sheet-Bulk-billing-incentives-since-1-Nov-2023.pdf

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