MEDICARE ENHANCEMENT OFFICER (MEO) The Medicare Enhancement Officer Position was created to help VACCHO member organisations access Medicare items to their full potential. This position was initially to be based in the Loddon Mallee as defined by the partners on the Victorian Advisory Council on Koori Health (VACKH). The position now has a statewide brief and works closely with all 26-member services throughout the state.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Medicare Enhancement Officer will perform the following roles:

1. Initiate contact with all 26-member organisation to identify Medicare issues that are potentially affecting their Medicare uptake.

2. Conduct audits on all service with an employed General Practitioner (GP) to identify the gaps within claiming Medicare (before this can take place we seek their cooperation to participate in the project

3. Undertake an analysis of the current use of Medicare by selected services, this should involve:

• Examining weather the service is maximising the use of Medicare by claiming all items that it is entitle to;
• Determining weather all relevant staff within the service are appropriately trained in Medicare claiming procedures;
• Identify weather the GP is claiming the appropriate items of care listed in the Medical Benefit Schedule (MBS) and;
• Comparing a services current use of Medicare with other practices of similar size
• Provide a written report to selected services on the above analysis with advice on how the service ca improve its systems, structures, procedures, claiming & training of all staff
• Provide the necessary training for staff (including GPs) within ACCHS to improve Medicare use in conjunction and collaboration with the Medicare Australia
• Provide ongoing support and follow up with each of the services.

Increasing the uptake of Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Medicare items by services

• Conduct workshops with ACCHS with assistance from the local Division of General Practice as requested
• The target groups for these workshops are CEOs, Doctors, Practice Managers, Health Coordinators, and other Health Coordinators and administration staff
• The purpose of these workshop is to increase the uptake and raise awareness of Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) items by ACCHS and to examine possible barriers to services using the EPC Medicare Items
• Develop a workshop module for application in ACCHS throughout Victoria   

Useful Resources

Main Website: www.medicareaustralia.gov.au

To apply for an AHW Provider Number from Medicare:
www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/forms/medicare/apps_for_provider_number.shtml

This web site allows you to access forms for an Aboriginal Health Workers Provider numbers, only on completion of VACCHO Aboriginal Health Workers Training Cert III.

Free Call to Medicare Australia: 1800 555 955

This will provide number will assist you with:

• Help with your Medicare enrolment
• Update you Medicare contact details
• Order new Medicare cards
• Answer question about Medicare
• Help register for Medicare safety net