Allied health table of costs fee review

The allied health table of costs fee review has been completed and we would like to thank all associations that provided submissions.

To ensure that the review was accurate we analysed all submissions, conducted independent market research and meet with representatives from selected associations and insurers to discuss the proposed amendments.

Summary of changes

According to our market research we identified that:

· the current Q-COMP fee for basic initial and subsequent consultations was identified as being below market rate and needed to increase

· the current Q-COMP hourly rates for allied health providers was found to be higher than the current market rate and so no increase will apply.

Therefore all fees for consultations (both initial and subsequent.) will be increased and other item numbers based on the hourly rate will remain the same and will be reviewed again in the next financial year.

Other amendments to various tables of cost included:

· Podiatry consultations moved from a hourly rate to a per session rate

· Preparation of suitable duties program increased to the median market rate

· Dietician consultation rates increased to the median market rate

· Exercise physiology group rates increased to the same fee as all other disciplines

· Domestic assistance has increased to $33/hr

All fees for other items in each table of cost including will remain the same.

New items & deleted items

Three new item numbers have been introduced including:

• A new patient records charge (found in the Supplementary services table of costs)
• A new item number for personal care services (found in the Rehabilitation support services table of costs)
• A new item number for Exercise Physiologists for group education sessions (found in the Exercise Physiology services table of costs)

Item 300191 for development of a weight loss program has been deleted.

Other amendments

Submissions from both insurers and allied health associations requested a variety of wording changes to individual items in various tables of costs to improve clarity and reduce confusion and these changes were made. Be sure to read the table of costs relating to your discipline to ensure you are up to date with the changes.

Other amendments include:

1. Pre-approved sessions: Reduction of pre-approved consultations from 7 (Initial + 6) to 5 (Initial + 4).

2. Biopsychocosocial approach: All table of costs now indicate that a biopsychosocial model should be adopted when treating injured workers.

3. Simplified Provider Management Plan (PMP): We have simplified the PMP. In the majority of cases a written document may not be required from an insurer, a phone call which conveys the same information as the PMP may suffice. Some insurers may still require a written PMP and a provider should respect these requirements from the individual insurer. Removal of the initial PMP for some providers will help reduce confusion regarding forms and the process of requesting further treatment and outlining treatment plans.

The next review

As a result of this allied health fee review, we have indentified that the current practice of a full review every three years did not adequately enable the 12 table of costs to be up-to-date and maintain relevance with current market rates for allied health services.

To keep up to date with market rates, we will now review six tables of costs each year and make any necessary changes as they are required by insurers and providers. This will ensure that fees and services remain relevant and allow continued access for injured workers.