Medicare have provided an updated schedule of benefits for November.  Only the Health Funds that use Access Gap Cover (AHSA) or Medical Gap (BUPA) have updated their fee schedules.   These are included in the latest Rates.Aus file which is now available to download and import into SPM.

A list of the Health Funds that are available to use in the Incisive application, with the date of their latest fee schedule, is available from this link. The changes to the Medicare schedule is provided from their site http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/news-211101 

Note that importing the Medicare & Health Fund fee schedules will not adjust the fees that each doctor chooses to charge.

If you are importing fees that have significant changes DO NOT IMPORT THE NEW SCHEDULE OF FEES UNTIL ALL SECRETARIES IN THE PRACTICE HAVE COMPLETED THEIR INVOICING for previous months.

To download and import the new Medicare and Health Funds rates file:

1. Log into SPM using a login that has permissions to access the Import option in the following location.  
2. Go to Utilities > Import > Health Fund rates
3. Click on the button 'Download Rates.Aus file'.  Accept the default values and click on Go.
4. When that has finished click Close and then choose 'Import Rates.Aus'
5. When the import has completed use the 'Index F8' menu item in Utilities > Repair.

The process to import and update the fee tables in the database could take 20-30 minutes and can be completed while other staff are still using SPM - although as it may cause some slow-down the import process should ideally be performed when no-one is using SPM.

When a small message box appears saying that the import has been successful you can exit by clicking on the Cancel button.
When we next notify you that an updated rates file is available with the latest rebate schedules, you will need to repeat this process.

This notice has only been sent to you, for the whole practice, and if you are not the practice manager or administrator please notify them and forward this to their email address.  Also let us know so that we can amend our records.

Advanced instructions for configuring the Health Funds in SPM, importing the Rates.AUS file and updating the specialist's individual charges from AMA or other fee schedules are available in this document

If you have any queries regarding the importing of the new schedules please let us know and we will do our best to help you.