Professional practice

February 2019

Most private health insurers use similar strategies to Medicare to identify incorrect claiming by health practitioners, including psychologists. In particular, they look to identify unusual claiming patterns in comparison to the majority of providers (‘peer to peer comparison’). Where...

February 2019

Since approved by the APS Board in September, 2018, the revised ethical guidelines on working with young people have become one of the most frequently recommended resources to members by the APS Professional Advisory Service.Working with children of separated parents, particularly when the...

December 2018

I can hear you all thinking “yes, I bulk bill some clients but what is a bulk bill voucher?” Many psychologists are probably not aware of bulk bill vouchers and even if they do know what they are, the ‘rules’ around them are confusing.A Medicare rebate belongs to the...

December 2018

Christmas is traditionally a time of gift-giving and it is not uncommon for a client to want to offer their treating psychologist a present. The conclusion of treatment is also a time when clients may wish to express their gratitude in the form of a gift. While there are no clear rules about...

December 2018

My Health Record (MHR) will soon become an integral part of healthcare practice. After 31 January, the new opt-out deadline, most Australians are expected to have an MHR and psychologists will need to be prepared for a significant shift in the volume of use. This article covers some frequently...

October 2018

Psychologists will be aware that they may be liable to repay the Government any Medicare funds that have been fraudulently, incorrectly or inappropriately claimed, even if the erroneous claims were made inadvertently.The Health Insurance Act 1973 has recently been amended to enhance the...

October 2018

Each state and territory has different laws and court systems. Psychologists may become involved with a court or tribunal for various reasons, most commonly in providing a report to a court requested by a lawyer, presenting as an expert witness, or in response to a subpoena to provide information...

October 2018

It is not uncommon for members to contact the APS about correspondence they have received from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) challenging how they have advertised their services. AHPRA takes very seriously the need to ensure the public has access to quality...

August 2018

It is common practice in many businesses, including psychology practices, to charge a cancellation fee if a person cancels at late, or no, notice. The APS schedule of recommended fees includes a suggested guideline for how such a fee could be tailored based on the principle that the...