Taxpayers slugged in GP vaccine rort

Several bulk-billing practices across Melbourne have been accused of rorting taxpayers after this sneaky tactic was uncovered.

A vaccine rort that requires Victorians to have a GP appointment before receiving the Covid-19 shot is doubling the Medicare cost to taxpayers.

The Australian Medical Association has warned against the appointments, unless specific heal­th concerns need to be discussed.

The vaccine rollout will be on top of the agenda of a national cabinet meeting on Monday, as a war of words continues over Pfizer supplies.

Victoria is also one step closer to producing a homegrown mRNA Covid-19 vaccine, and clinical trials are to begin within months.

As demand for a vaccine continues to outstrip supply, the Herald Sun can reveal that several bulk-billing practices across greater Melbourne demand patients speak to a doctor before getting vaccinated in a second appointment.

One clinic in Melbourne’s southeast has also incorrectly billed some first appointments at a higher rate.

“There should not be a blanket requirement to have a routine appointment, or for a transfer of all the patient’s notes before the vaccine is given,” AMA vice-president Chris Moy said.

The Health Department is investigating eight of 25 tip-offs nationwide about potential noncompliance relating to Covid-19 assessments under the Medicare Benefits Schedule.

A spokeswoman said people must be assessed to confirm their suitability to receive the vaccine. However, the assessments should be in the same appointment as the vaccination.

Several bulk-billing practices across Melbourne demand patients speak to a doctor before getting vaccinated in a second appointment.

“The department reviews all allegations of Medicare noncompliance by healthcare providers, and may pursue a range of responses, including education, review, audit and investigation,” she said.

Funding for GPs to administer Covid-19 vaccines during visits to homes and aged-care centres, as well as a new Medicare item for people aged over 50 to receive the Pfizer vaccine at their GP, was announced last week. This follows the shock that AstraZeneca will no longer be given to people aged 50-59 following concerns about rare blood clots.

National cabinet will today discuss the change, and Scott Morrison will attend the hook-up and parliamentary question time virtually, while he quarantines following high-level talks in Europe.

The Prime Minister is expected to thank leaders for their swift shift from AstraZeneca to Pfizer for people aged 50-59, ensure that officials are fully informed, and that the process remains co-ordinated.

Victoria’s Acting Premier, James Merlino, on Sunday lashed the federal government vaccine rollout as an “absolute shambles” because Pfizer supply was not meeting demand. He claimed the state was told by the Commonwealth: “Don’t worry about second doses, we have got all that you need.”

But a letter obtained by the Herald Sun reveals Health Minister Martin Foley last week acknowledged that it was the state’s responsibility not to give out more first doses than there were second doses available.

“I acknowledge … it is incumbent upon my department to ensure that supply is available for second doses as they fall due,” Mr Foley wrote to federal Health Minister Greg Hunt.

Mr Hunt said Victoria’s weekly allocation of Pfizer vaccine was rising from 71,370 doses in June to 83,070 doses in July. He said an additional 150,930 doses to help the Victorian government to meet demand and manage the second doses was believed to be a “temporary, one-off allocation”.

The state government has also announced $5m cash to support the manufacturing of enough mRNA Covid-19 vaccines to complete the first phase of clinical trials.

About 150 volunteers will receive the vaccine at trials due to begin in October.

Originally published as Taxpayers slugged in GP vaccine rort