❓ Hon Norm Kelly questions the WA government regarding Medicare payments for complementary/alternative medicine provided by medical practitioners, specifically concerning qualifications and oversight. The Minister deflects responsibility to the Commonwealth government.
AnsweredQoN 791Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
791. Hon Norm Kelly to the Attorney General representing the Minister for Health:
Regarding the Medicare payments to medical providers of complementary/alternative services -
(1) In Western Australia, what extra qualifications does a medical practitioner need to practice and charge for the provision of -
(a) Acupuncture;
(b) Naturopathy;
(c) Homoeopathy; and
(d) Manipulation?
(2) What arrangement, if any, does the WA Government have in place to permit Medicare to differentiate between medical registrants who are, or who are not, qualified to provide these services?
(3) Does the West Australian Government know which medical registrants are qualified to provide those services?
(4) Does the WA Medical Board know which medical registrants are, or who are not, qualified to provide these services?
(5) Does the Government regard this as a flaw in the Medical Act, which opens a multi-million dollar Medicare loophole?
Regarding the Medicare payments to medical providers of complementary/alternative services -
(1) In Western Australia, what extra qualifications does a medical practitioner need to practice and charge for the provision of -
(a) Acupuncture;
(b) Naturopathy;
(c) Homoeopathy; and
(d) Manipulation?
(2) What arrangement, if any, does the WA Government have in place to permit Medicare to differentiate between medical registrants who are, or who are not, qualified to provide these services?
(3) Does the West Australian Government know which medical registrants are qualified to provide those services?
(4) Does the WA Medical Board know which medical registrants are, or who are not, qualified to provide these services?
(5) Does the Government regard this as a flaw in the Medical Act, which opens a multi-million dollar Medicare loophole?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 November 2000
Response time
64 days
The Minister Replied:
The question appears to concern eligibility for payments for certain professional services under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). The MBS is part of the Commonwealth's Medicare program. The inclusion of particular professional services in the MBS, and the specification of providers in respect of whose services benefits under the MBS are payable, are matters for the Commonwealth.
(1) Nil.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) No.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) No. The purpose of the Medical Act 1894 is to register medical practitioners and regulate medical practice in Western Australia. Eligibility for payments under the MBS is determined by Commonwealth legislation, namely the Health Insurance Act 1973.
The question appears to concern eligibility for payments for certain professional services under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). The MBS is part of the Commonwealth's Medicare program. The inclusion of particular professional services in the MBS, and the specification of providers in respect of whose services benefits under the MBS are payable, are matters for the Commonwealth.
(1) Nil.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) No.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) No. The purpose of the Medical Act 1894 is to register medical practitioners and regulate medical practice in Western Australia. Eligibility for payments under the MBS is determined by Commonwealth legislation, namely the Health Insurance Act 1973.
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