Midwifery and Nurse Practitioner Medicare Item Numbers
Midwives & Nurse Practitioners Access to Medicare NumbersFrom 1 November 2010 eligible nurse practitioners and midwives will be able to access specific items in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and authorised nurse practitioners and midwives will be able to access a limited list of items under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). To provide MBS services and prescribe certain PBS subsidised medicines you will need to apply for a Medicare provider number and PBS prescriber number. A Medicare provider number will only be issued if you are in private practice. You will need to complete an Application form for a Medicare provider number and/or PBS prescriber number for a midwife or nurse practitioner.
To assist nurse practitioners and midwives, Medicare Australia has created a series of eLearning modules. These modules are interactive, easy to use and include the following topics.
Medicare and You
• Introduction to Medicare Australia
• Introduction to the Medicare Benefits Schedule
• Billing and claiming (including how to bulk bill)
• Referrals and requests
PBS and You
• What is the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme?
• Using the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits
• Ensuring the Integrity of the PBS
• Each module will take about 15-20 minutes to complete.
For more information go to:
http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/other-healthcare/nurse-midwives.jsp
