To support doctors responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Health has announced a number of short-term measures to waive or streamline Medicare provider number requirements.
Victorian doctors on the Rural Locum Relief Locum Program (RLRP) and More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP) will be eligible for these changes. The short-term measures announced will ensure eligible doctors can continue to satisfy their obligations under section 19AA and 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973, and continue to provide Medicare services to patients in their current practice.
The Department of Health will also provide eligible doctors with a six month extension to workforce program placements (3GA placements) expiring from 1 May 2020 and will continue these extensions on a month-by-month basis while the COVID-19 pandemic remains. Some ongoing program requirements will also be waived.
RWAV will contact all doctors on the RLRP and MDRAP programs for whom these measures apply, however, do not hesitate to call (03) 93497800 or email GPprograms@rwav.com.au if you have any questions.
