❓ This parliamentary question and answer reveal concerns raised by Spartan First Imaging regarding billing practices and the operation of radiology services at Kalgoorlie Health Campus, including potential irregularities in Medicare claims. While initial investigations did not confirm improper billing, new concerns about specific Medicare items are now under investigation.
AnsweredQoN 513Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Kalgoorlie Health Campus—Radiology billing
513. Hon Steve Martin to
the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the
meeting on 20 January 2026 between the minister, her staff and representatives
of Spartan First Imaging.
(1) Can the minister confirm that
concerns were raised with her at the meeting relating to double billing,
irregular Medicare claims or ineligible billing practices at Kalgoorlie Health
Campus?
(2) Did Spartan First raise any concerns specifically
about specialist attendance items, including Medicare Benefits Schedule Items 104
and 105, or equivalent specialist consultation billing?
(3) What specific issues did the Director
General of Health investigate regarding billing irregularities at Kalgoorlie and
when did that investigation conclude?
(4) Why did the DG not detect issues of
improper Medicare billing for ineligible services?
(5) Were any matters on this issue
referred to the Public Sector Commission and, if so, when?
(6) Has any Medicare income been repaid,
recovered or reclaimed in relation to these billing issues and, if so, how much,
when and for what claims?
513. Hon Steve Martin to
the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the
meeting on 20 January 2026 between the minister, her staff and representatives
of Spartan First Imaging.
(1) Can the minister confirm that
concerns were raised with her at the meeting relating to double billing,
irregular Medicare claims or ineligible billing practices at Kalgoorlie Health
Campus?
(2) Did Spartan First raise any concerns specifically
about specialist attendance items, including Medicare Benefits Schedule Items 104
and 105, or equivalent specialist consultation billing?
(3) What specific issues did the Director
General of Health investigate regarding billing irregularities at Kalgoorlie and
when did that investigation conclude?
(4) Why did the DG not detect issues of
improper Medicare billing for ineligible services?
(5) Were any matters on this issue
referred to the Public Sector Commission and, if so, when?
(6) Has any Medicare income been repaid,
recovered or reclaimed in relation to these billing issues and, if so, how much,
when and for what claims?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by the Minister for Health.
(1) Spartan First raised concerns
relating to billing practices and the operation of radiology services at
Kalgoorlie Hospital. Other issues raised by Spartan First included private
referrals and signage at Kalgoorlie Hospital and Spartan First's business
viability.
(2) No.
(3) The issues raised by Spartan included
commercial sustainability of its practice, competitive neutrality, the use of
Medicare and intersection with the National Health Reform Agreement, consent
systems for private patients and signage. The original allegations were
investigated in December 2025. Regular billing reconciliation and review is undertaken
by WACHS and an annual audit is undertaken by the department and the
Commonwealth.
(4) At that time, the investigation
conducted by the department to address the issues in part (3) did not confirm
improper billing practices. The matters now raised regarding discrete Medicare
items are currently being investigated.
(5)–(6) No.
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by the Minister for Health.
(1) Spartan First raised concerns
relating to billing practices and the operation of radiology services at
Kalgoorlie Hospital. Other issues raised by Spartan First included private
referrals and signage at Kalgoorlie Hospital and Spartan First's business
viability.
(2) No.
(3) The issues raised by Spartan included
commercial sustainability of its practice, competitive neutrality, the use of
Medicare and intersection with the National Health Reform Agreement, consent
systems for private patients and signage. The original allegations were
investigated in December 2025. Regular billing reconciliation and review is undertaken
by WACHS and an annual audit is undertaken by the department and the
Commonwealth.
(4) At that time, the investigation
conducted by the department to address the issues in part (3) did not confirm
improper billing practices. The matters now raised regarding discrete Medicare
items are currently being investigated.
(5)–(6) No.
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