Speak Out December 2018

in practice

Medicare have recently simplified the application form for allied health providers obtaining an initial provider number. Information about this process is available on SPA's Info Sheet: "Medicare Programs and Provider Numbers" at https://bit. ly/2UbJDSf Medicare will only give a provider number to allied health practitioners who are seeing clients who are eligible to claim for Medicare rebates for their services (e.g. under CDM program). If they do not have any clients eligible for this rebate, then Medicare will NOT provide you with a provider number. The form can be found at on Medicare’s website. See: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/organisations/health- professionals/forms/hw020 Good news for providers with an existing provider number – they can now apply for an additional via their Health Professionals Online Services (HPOS) account. Medicare will issue their number immediately. Medicare recommends speech pathologists wait two business days before they submit claims with this new number. Speech pathologists can also use Medicare’s Health Professionals Online Services HPOS to manage their provider number. Providers can apply for an additional number or manage existing details via these services. See: www. humanservices.gov.au/organisations/health-professionals/ enablers/managing-provider-numbers-using-hpos/32516 For more information see Medicare’s information: https://bit. ly/2DZe1cP Applying for a new or additional Medicare provider number?

The Fair Work Commission has made some changes to a number of awards as part of its Modern Award Review – www.fwc.gov.au/awards-agreements/ awards/modern-award-reviews/4-yearly-review . This includes the Health Professions and Support Services Award (2010) that covers speech pathologists. The changes affect rules on termination of employment. Please be aware that employers are now required to pay an employee’s wages and all other entitlements, within seven days of the end of their employment. Changes to notice of termination rules mean an employer can deduct up to one week’s wages if an employee over 18 years of age resigns without giving enough notice. Employers cannot deduct wages from employees under the age of 18 for not giving notice. More information is available on the Fairwork website under: www.fairwork.gov.au/ending-employment/ notice-and-final-pay Professions and Support Services (HPSS) Award Termination of employees: Changes to the Health

Private Practice seminars Melbourne – 1 February 2019 (registration open) Newcastle – 1 March 2019 (registration open) Adelaide – 12 April 2019 (coming soon) Perth – 21 June 2019 (coming soon) Members from all states are welcome to attend any session.

Attendees of the Queensland Private Practice seminar in September

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December 2018 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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