ANTA News

Important! New condition of Membership - Working with Children Check or Police Check

ANTA has been advised by Health Funds that all Members will now require a Working with Children Check or Police Check to be eligible for Health Fund recognition and ANTA Membership going forward. Please be aware that all Australian States and Territories have different policies and procedures when it comes to these Checks. ANTA requires your documentation to be emailed as soon as possible. If this is not completed, your Health Fund and Membership status will be in jeopardy. AHPRA registered Members do not need to complete this requirement as it is a condition of AHPRA registration. As an Association recognising practitioners within the healthcare industry, ANTA has an obligation to ensure the public’s safety by ensuring all Members have completed a clear criminal history check.

Membership Renewals for AHPRA Members

ANTA Membership Renewal Notices for AHPRA Members were issued in Feburary 2021. Payments have to be made by 31st March 2021. Please check your junk/spam folder or contact ANTA if you did not receive your renewal.

ANTA and the Board of Directors would like to offer a big thank you to all the purchased a ticket for the first World Health Symposium. Although the event ran with a few technical difficults, we would like to thank those that provided helpful feedback and asked some great questions for all presenters. If you did not receive your certificates, please contact ANTA on 1800 817 577.

ANTA News Autumn 2021 Important Information for ANTA Members registered with Health Funds

Members who are recognised by Health Funds need to be aware of some new requirements in regard to Bupa and Medibank (including AHM). Bupa – as of 1st February 2021, Bupa will be implementing their new Ancillary Provider Terms. Members who are eligible for Bupa provider recognition are advised to read the new terms and ensure that they are adhering to the requirements. These new terms are available on ANTA’s website in the Member Centre under Health Funds > Bupa Recognised Ancillary Provider Criteria. You can also visit Bupa’s website https://www.bupa.com.au/forproviders for further information. Medibank (including AHM) – as of 1st April 2021, Medibank’s recognition criteria will be updated to reflect the requirement for electronically issued or printed invoices/receipts. This means that after 1st April 2021 Medibank will no longer accept fully or partially handwritten invoices/receipts. Medibank have advised that if providers do not comply with this new rule, their status as a Recognised Provider of Medibank may be reviewed and they may be suspended or cancelled. The updated ancillary billing standards for Medibank (including AHM) are available on ANTA’s website in the Member Centre under Health Funds > Medibank Recognised Ancillary Provider Criteria. You can also visit Medibank’s website https://www.medibank.com.au/providers/ for further information. ANTA recommends that you start implementing this practice as soon as possible prior to 1st April 2021. It has come to ANTA’s attention that a large number of practitioners are not adhering to the rules of the various Health Funds and we stress that it is very important to familiarise yourself with each of the Health Fund’s rules and regulations. By following the simple guidelines below, Members can greatly assist their clients in achieving a successful outcome with their Health Fund. Failure to provide any of the following requirements will result in your name and clinic details not being sent to the Health Funds and your client’s claims being rejected. Change of Address or Name: Ensure any changes to your clinic address, e.g. new clinic address or leaving clinic address, and/or name (i.e. marriage etc.) are notified to ANTA as soon as any change occurs. If your change of address, change of name etc. is not provided to ANTA in a timely manner, your current details will not be included on the lists of ANTA Members sent to Health Funds. If your name and/ or clinic address shown on receipts issued to your clients does not match your name and/or clinic address shown on the reports sent to Health Funds, your client’s claim will be rejected by the Health Fund. Professional Indemnity Insurance: Ensure your Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance is renewed before it expires. You will be required to provide a copy of your Certificate of Currency to ANTA. Members who do not provide ANTA with a copy of their PI Certificate of Currency in a timely manner will not be included on lists sent to Health Funds and your current provider number/s will be cancelled. First Aid Qualification (HLTAID003 or subsequent updates): Ensure your First Aid qualification is renewed before it expires and that you provide ANTA with a copy of the renewed qualification before the expiry date of your current certificate. Members who do not provide ANTA with a copy of their renewed First Aid qualification in a timely manner will not be included on lists sent to Health Funds and your current provider number/s will be cancelled. Police Check or Working with Children Check: Ensure you have provided ANTA with your current Police Check or Working with Children Check. Members who provide new clinic address details and do not have a current Police Check or Working with Children Check will be required to supply a check before Health Funds are notified of your new address change. Continuing Professional Education (CPE): Ensure that you complete and log 20 hours of CPE each calendar year (January to December) on your personal profile within the ANTA Member Centre. Renew your ANTA Membership: Ensure that you renew your ANTA membership before it expires. Membership expires on the 31st December each year and your renewal notice will be forwarded to you in October each year. [Note: Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine members expire 31st March each year – renewal forwarded to you in February each year]. Members who do not renew their membership in a timely manner, i.e. before the 31st December [or 31st March for Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine practitioners], will not be included on lists sent to Health Funds and your current provider number/s will be cancelled.