Reminder – 2023-24 Service Agreements Due
TAZREACH would like to thank all service providers and hosts who have completed and returned their signed Service Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoU’s) for 2023-24 with the required supporting documentation, and for being so responsive to requests for additional information.
There continues to be a number of agreements and MoU’s that are outstanding. All outstanding agreements should be returned to TAZREACH no later than Friday 18 August 2023.
Payments for service activity will continue to remain on hold until all required documentation has been submitted.
Health Insurance Act 1973 & Interaction with MBS
As part of recent internal work, the interaction between payments made under the various TAZREACH programs and the Health Insurance Act 1973, has been considered.
Where a service provider receives funding for clinical time from TAZREACH for the delivery of outreach services, by way of a workforce support payment or backfilling, service providers must ensure compliance with the Health Insurance Act 1973, particularly Section 19(2). For reference, Section 19(2) states:
19 (2) Unless the Minister otherwise directs, a medicare benefit is not payable in respect of a professional service that has been rendered by, or on behalf of, or under an arrangement with:
- the Commonwealth;
- a State;
- a local governing body; or
- an authority established by a law of the Commonwealth, a law of a State or a law of an internal Territory.
Service providers are encouraged to review their compliance with Section 19(2) in the instance they receive a payment for workforce support or backfilling. Further information relating to Medicare compliance obligations can be found on the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Please direct any questions on this matter to your program coordinator.