Medicubes THT Podcast Network

In this episode of the Medicubes podcast, join Chris, Riwka and Kim as they unpack the latest news on payroll tax in Queensland with Dr. Bruce Willett, a returning guest to the show.
Bruce shares important updates on the public ruling regarding payroll tax for general practices in Queensland. He highlights key changes, clarifies the determination of a relevant contract, and explains how the flow of funds plays a crucial role. Tune in for some valuable insights on how the updated public ruling provides clarity and a clear path forward for Queensland practices.
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The Medicubes Podcast is part of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network, Australia's leading audio destination for insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, and digital health. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim are joined by guest Kylie Gibson, Business Manager at Fisher Family Practice, Holder Family Practice and Fisher Allied Health.  
They discuss the important role of social workers in general practice, the benefits of integrating social workers into care teams, the various services they provide, and how they support vulnerable elderly individuals to remain in their homes. 
Tune in for insights into the collaborative approach between social workers and GPs, the challenges faced, and the positive impact on patient care.
Key Points:
Social Worker Role: Referred patients get comprehensive support, covering information provision, ongoing aid, and tackling complex healthcare needs.Teamwork and Patient Goals: Social workers collaborate with patients, focusing on goal-setting and consistent consultations.Advocacy: They serve as advocates, guiding patients through the system to close any gaps in care.Pilot Program: Funded by Capital Health Network, the Social Workers in General Practice Pilot Program is an Australian first, aiming to enhance care for those with complex social and health barriers.Evaluation: University of Canberra is independently evaluating the program.Financial Barriers: Although currently limited by funding and Medicare restrictions, the data collected in this pilot will hopefully demonstrate the ongoing need for Social Workers in General Practice, and propose pathways for future funding. 
Additional Resources:
Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES-13): https://www.rand.org/health-care/projects/acove/survey.html Medicubes Podcast: Website: www.medicubes.com.au

In this episode of Medicubes, join Ben Ryan and Kelly Chard as they discuss the intricacies of payroll tax for GP clinics.
They cover how payroll tax affects medical practices in Australia and the recent crackdown by revenue offices on non-compliant practices. Hear real-world cases highlighting the importance of properly classifying doctors to not run into payroll tax pain later down the line.

This is part 2 of this mini-series on payroll tax.  Jump back to episode 17 on this podcast feed for part 1.

Key Takeaways:
Some medical practices have chosen to pay the payroll tax after the amnesty period based on their own interpretations.The incorporation of practitioners into specialised clinics is becoming a common strategy for providing services.The payroll tax discussion is prompting critical thinking and strategic planning for future business models.Practitioners express little enthusiasm for paying payroll tax in the traditional model.It is crucial to avoid a system where the practice manager or another individual retains control of funds.Implementing separate bank accounts for different types of transactions, such as third-party payments, can aid in tracking.A different mindset and reconciliation process are needed to effectively track payments and manage debtors.Various approaches exist for reconciliation, from manual checks to automated systems like Surgical Partners.Transferring funds from a central clearing account to individual practitioner accounts can lead to discrepancies.Choices must be made regarding working with doctors to manage their own funds or leaving it as a free-for-all.Checking service agreements for accuracy is a crucial task for accountants or bookkeepers.Common issues in service agreements include incorrect practice or doctor names and incorrect service fees.Poorly drafted agreements by inexperienced lawyers can have legal and commercial consequences.Change is expected in the healthcare system, necessitating a reevaluation of business models and engagement methods.The speaker highlights the negative impact of payroll tax and the need for focusing on business models and patient care.The direct flow of funds to doctors aligns with their business model, but challenges with visibility and reconciliation remain.Small practices can adapt to paying doctors directly, but larger practices may require new software solutions.The evolving situation may lead to potential rulings and changes in payroll technology, affecting how practices operate.Each practice needs to find its own path to maintain visibility for billing administration.

Remember this episode is not professional advice in any way.  Please seek your own accounting and legal advice taking into account your own unique circumstances.

In this episode of Medicubes, join Ben Ryan and Kelly Chard as they discuss the intricacies of payroll tax for GP clinics.
They cover how payroll tax affects medical practices in Australia and the recent crackdown by revenue offices on non-compliant practices. Hear real-world cases highlighting the importance of properly classifying doctors to not run into payroll tax pain later down the line.
Key Takeaways:
02:15 - Payroll tax is a state-based tax administered by each state's revenue office, not the ATO (Australian Taxation Office)03:45 - Revenue offices are actively cracking down on medical practices that have been non-compliant with payroll tax regulations.06:20 - Recent cases involving Optical Superstore and Thomas and Naaz have brought attention to the issue of properly classifying doctors and patients under the Payroll Tax Act.10:30 - Medical practices need to consider payroll tax when dealing with doctors and patients and seek advice from experienced professionals.14:10 - It is essential for medical practices to have conversations with knowledgeable professionals who specialise in both accounting and legal aspects of the medical industry.17:45 - Updating bank accounts without considering the wider plan will not fix any existing payroll tax issues.21:00 - Collaborating with legal advisors and experts is crucial to ensure operational changes align with legal advice.24:15 - Understanding the business structure, evaluating day-to-day operations, and seeking professional advice are the first steps in managing payroll tax risks.
Remember this episode is not professional advice in any way.  Please seek your own accounting and legal advice taking into account your own unique circumstances.

In this episode of Medicubes, Riwka Hagen, Chris Smeed and Kim Poyner dive into the hot topic of the week - new patient registration, MyMedicare and its impact on healthcare practices in Australia. 
The team answer your questions and share valuable insights and guidance on understanding the differences between enrolling and registering patients, the changes with patient registration, and the potential challenges practices may face. 
Key Discussion Points:
Introduction to the new patient registration model, MyMedicare, and its voluntary nature.The objectives of My Medicare in enhancing the patient-GP relationship and primary care services.The significance of continuous patient care and how MyMedicare aims to achieve it.Enhanced access to GPs through My Medicare: Telephone consultations for Level C and Level D.The tripling of bulk billing incentives for telehealth consultations (Level C, D, and E) for pension card holders, healthcare card holders, and children under 16.A deep dive into the telehealth consultations covered by MyMedicare.The exclusion of registered patients from accessing chronic disease management services from other practices, ensuring continuity of care.An exploration into the possible challenges that practices might face due to the patient lock-in feature of My Medicare.Anticipations on the potential impact and benefits of My Medicare on healthcare service delivery.
Resources & Links:
MyMedicare practice registration – Frequently asked questions - https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/mymedicare-practice-registration-frequently-asked-questions?language=en

In this episode, Chris, Kim and Riwka are joined by special guest Albert Naffah, CEO of CommBank Health, who brings a wealth of expertise to the discussion as they explore the role of digital technology in the healthcare industry.
Albert discusses the challenges faced by healthcare businesses and how digital solutions can create efficiencies and enhance the patient experience. He also reveals how Smart Health, a payment and claims platform with integrated analytics, is helping medical practices get paid more efficiently while attracting patients and talent alike.
Key Takeaways:
(02:29) The increasing adoption of digital solutions in healthcare is driven by patient demand for modern solutions and healthcare businesses' need to create efficiencies and improve the patient experience.(12:54) Healthcare practices can benefit from non-clinical skills such as finance, operations, and human resources, which are crucial for practice success but not commonly taught in medical school.(21:10) Smart Health, a payment and claims platform with integrated analytics, helps medical practices get paid efficiently while attracting patients and talent.(28:05) The GP Insights report shows that many medical businesses experience higher patient demand than in previous years, leading to challenges, but also greater adoption of digital solutions.
Resources & Links:
CommBank Health: https://www.commbank.com.au/business/corporate-industry/health.htmlSmart Health: https://www.commbank.com.au/business/health/solutions/smart-health.htmlGP Insights Report: https://www.commbank.com.au/content/dam/commbank/assets/business/corporate-industry/health/gp-insights-report-2023.pdf