Medicubes

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The Medicubes team bring you a monthly panel conversation of exciting and challenging topics in primary health care, answering listener questions and invited guests to the discussions.

04/12/2025

Privacy Law Reforms: Protecting Patients and Practices with Sarah Bartholomeusz

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris and Kim are joined by Sarah Bartholomeusz, founder and principal of You Legal, to discuss current privacy reforms and their impact on primary care practices in Australia. Providing a clear overview of the recent changes to the Privacy Act, including the introduction of the Privacy Legislation Other Amendment Act (Polar), and why it is important for practices to update their policies and systems. Key Topics: New Privacy Reforms: Sarah explains the overhaul of the Privacy Act and the need for practices to modernise their privacy policies to address issues arising from cloud storage, artificial intelligence, and digital health records.Accountability and Compliance: Placing greater emphasis on the responsibility of practices to safeguard patient information, including stricter requirements on their data protection policies.Data Breaches and Consequences: Recent high-profile data breaches highlight that organisations, rather than individuals, are now held accountable. Practices risk significant reputational damage and fines of up to $50 million for serious contraventions.Practical Steps for Practice Managers: Which includes reviewing and updating privacy policies, ensuring team training and awareness, and auditing systems and security measures.Training and Leadership: Sarah emphasises the importance of ongoing staff education and a shared organisational approach to privacy compliance. Examples illustrate how human error in handling patient information can have serious consequences.Insurance Considerations: Discussing the importance of cyber insurance and regularly reviewing policy requirements, such as two-factor authentication, to ensure coverage.Civil Penalties: Under the new legislation, individuals can now take civil action against practices for privacy breaches, expanding the potential liability for business owners. Links & Resources: You Legal webinar on Privacy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W55xlxEzwSEYou Legal most recent Privacy article: https://youlegal.com.au/you-legal-blogs/privacy-law-changes-medical-practices-australiaOffice of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC): https://www.oaic.gov.au/Hacking Health podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq9d4AWPjD8https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-4-providing-actionable-insights-and-staying/id1713458574?i=1000632513496 Medicubes is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.

29 min
20/11/2025

Reinventing Patient Experience: Inside HealthEngine’s Growth with Dan Stinton

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris and Riwka speak with Dan Stinton, CEO and Managing Director of HealthEngine, about recent developments in Australia’s largest healthcare provider marketplace and the evolving landscape of digital health technology for medical practices. Key Points: Health Engine’s Expansion: Now servicing general practice, dental, allied specialists, and pharmacy, with more than 10,000 practices and 40,000 practitioners listed on the platform.Patient Engagement Technology: Investment in non-clinical SAS tools to support efficient front-office operations, including online bookings, automated recalls, payments, and custom forms.AI Receptionist (‘Helen’): Automates 50-65% of inbound calls in practices, currently supports booking management, with future plans for recalls and reminders via voice.Practice Adoption Challenges: Practices tend to adopt 10% of available functionality, highlighting the need for continued education and support for technology use.Data Security & Compliance: Health Engine upholds strong governance standards, with comprehensive legal and privacy audits for every product release.Australian Healthcare Index Insights: 74% of patients report cost-of-living pressures are impacting their healthcare decisions, with bulk billing access cited as a major concern.Preparing for New Booking Channels: Practices should be mindful of the growing influence of large language models and personal assistants in patient engagement. Links & Resources: HealthEngine: https://healthengine.com.au/ Medicubes is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.

39 min
06/11/2025

Preparing Your Team for Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program Changes

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris and Riwka are joined by Louise Riley, Bianca McCulloch, Jacob Grooby, and Alexis Mohay from the Department of Health and Aged Care to discuss the latest changes to bulk billing and the launch of the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP). The panel addresses common questions from registered practices, clarifying the practical and administrative impacts of the new incentive arrangements. Recorded live from a FAQ webinar session focused on supporting practice managers, owners, and clinical teams in understanding the changes necessary for successful implementation. Key Points: Two Key Bulk Billing Changes: Explaining the distinction between the expanded bulk billing incentives (with increased eligibility for patients) and the new Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP), which provides an additional 12.5% incentive payment for eligible practices.Eligibility and Registration: Practices can choose to participate in the BBPIP or continue with current billing arrangements. Registration for BBPIP is available via the MyMedicare portal from 1 November, with flexibility to join or withdraw later.Bulk Billing Item Requirements: Participating practices must bulk bill all General Practitioner Non-Referred Attendance (GP NRA) services for eligible patients. Procedures and other service types are exempt. Non-BBPIP practices can still claim standard bulk billing incentives as the eligibility criteria have been expanded.Triple Incentive Clarification: Not all incentive payments are tripled. Only those items previously eligible for the triple incentive will remain so; other items retain their current rate.Practice Management Systems: Software vendors will update items automatically, practices are advised to check for updates and retain concession card information for differential billing on non-bulk billed services.Administrative Arrangements and Errors: Minor administrative errors in billing will not result in the loss of the entire quarterly incentive payment. Corrections and adjustments can be made, and a small margin for error is allowed.Payments and Indexation: The 12.5% incentive is calculated on eligible GP NRA items and paid quarterly. The amount increases in line with MBS indexation, but the percentage itself remains static.Advertising and Signage: Participating practices must clearly advertise their bulk billing status, including updated signage (available to order via the Department’s website) and register details with Healthdirect.Non-Medicare Services and Private Billing: Practices may still privately bill for procedures or non-NRA services and set appropriate fees for non-MBS services (e.g. iron infusions).Compliance: The importance of using reliable, up-to-date resources and departmental FAQs to support team understanding and avoid misinformation. Links & Resources: Cubiko FAQ webinar session: https://www.cubiko.com.au/resources/bb-incentive-faq/Cubiko’s Bulk Billing Incentive Resource Hub and Webinar Recordings: https://www.cubiko.com.au/blog/resource-group/bulk-billing-incentives/RACGP Resource Hub https://www.racgp.org.au/advocacy/advocacy-resources/november-changes-to-medicareDOHA Resource Hub: http://www.health.gov.au/BBPIPThe Services Australia Health Professional Education website: https://hpe.servicesaustralia.gov.au/Government Resource: GP NRA Items:...

59 min
30/10/2025

The Power of Social Prescribing: Healthy Aging with Jo Winwood

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim continue their conversation with Jo Winwood, focusing on social prescribing, aged care, and early intervention in primary care. Providing a clear explanation of social prescribing, its origins in the UK, and how it relates to the broader concept of holistic, person-centred care. Key Points: Social Prescribing Defined: Social prescribing involves structured conversations with patients to identify what matters to them, what may be missing from their lives, and addressing social determinants of health as part of a broader care plan.Integration into Practice: The growing formalisation of social prescribing in Australian general practice, including references in care planning and including holistic, lifestyle-based factors in templates and patient reviews.Person-Centred Approach: Highlighting patient-driven goal setting, with examples showing that patients’ concerns often lie outside of clinical conditions and may relate more to isolation, loneliness, or lack of purpose.Practical Examples: Real-world examples of social prescriptions such as community gardening, cooking classes, and activities like Parkrun, which foster social connection and improve wellbeing.Self-care for Health Professionals: Encouraging practice staff to reflect on their own social connections and wellbeing, and the value of walking the talk to better understand and promote social prescribing benefits.Actionable Advice: Jo suggests individuals and practitioners undertake a personal stocktake to identify what matters most and what may be missing in their own lives, and to use this as a starting point. Medicubes is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network. Mentioned in this episode: Get Healthengine today! Healthengine is a proud sponsor of the Medicubes podcast. Our easy-to-integrate, and even easier to use, technology helps boost your digital presence, grow your patient base, maximise your practice efficiency and build deeper relationships with your patients. Learn more Healthengine

20 min
09/10/2025

From Invisibility to Empowerment: Healthy Ageing with Jo Winwood

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Riwka, Kim, and Chris are joined by Jo Winwood, Associate Director of Healthy Living and Ageing at Healthy North Coast. Discussing aged care in Australia, recent reforms driven by the Royal Commission, and the practical implications for general practice teams and their elderly patients. Key Points: Jo’s Background: Jo’s transition from the corporate sector into aged care and her belief in the importance of dignity, visibility, and purpose for older Australians.Gaps in Aged Care: The traditional approach often left older people feeling like passive recipients of care, rather than active participants. Jo highlights the need for meaningful social connection to reduce feelings of invisibility and loneliness.Role of Primary Care: Emphasis for GPs, nurses, and practice managers to initiate aged care discussions earlier, integrate aged care pathways into care planning, and use regular assessments as opportunities to identify and support older patients at risk.Aged Care Changes: Outlining how the Royal Commission (started in 2018) led to 148 recommendations focused on consumer visibility, choice, and control and moving away from a provider-centric model to a rights-based system that emphasises dignity and independence. Major System Changes: Access: Improved access points, and new referral pathways for primary care providers.Assessment: Shift to a single, unified assessment system for all consumers.Support at Home: Replacement of four-tiered home care packages with an eight-level Support at Home program, allowing greater flexibility and more rapid escalation of support as needs change.Special Pathways: Introduction of additional short-term support and end-of-life care packages, with roles for GPs and nurse practitioners in assessing and referring patients. Links & Resources: My Aged Care: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/New Aged Care Act: https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/about-us/legislation-and-policies/new-aged-care-act Medicubes is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network. Mentioned in this episode: Get Healthengine today! Healthengine is a proud sponsor of the Medicubes podcast. Our easy-to-integrate, and even easier to use, technology helps boost your digital presence, grow your patient base, maximise your practice efficiency and build deeper relationships with your patients. Learn more Healthengine

26 min
18/09/2025

The Human Side of Lung Cancer: Reducing Stigma and Screening Program with Anne Fidler

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Riwka and Kim are joined by guest Anne Fidler to discuss Australia’s new national lung cancer screening programme and its implications for general practice. Discussing the programme’s eligibility criteria, key statistics regarding lung cancer incidence and mortality, and the stigma faced by people with a current or past history of smoking. Anne shares her personal experiences as a lung cancer patient and advocate, along with the need for supportive, non-judgemental conversations in primary care settings. Key Points: Programme Overview: Australia is set to launch a national lung cancer screening programme in July 2025. This is the first national cancer screening initiative introduced in nearly 20 years.Eligibility Criteria: The programme targets individuals aged 50 to 70 with a history of tobacco use (current or past), who are asymptomatic. A key measure is a “30 pack year” smoking history, but for practical purposes, clinicians can simply ask if the patient has been smoking for around 30 years. Those who quit in the last ten years remain eligible.Stigma in Healthcare: Stigma remains a major barrier to early detection. Many patients feel judged due to their smoking history, discouraging them from participating in screening or disclosing relevant behaviour.Language and Approach: The importance of using sensitive, open-ended questions about tobacco use and normalising screening conversations as a routine aspect of care, rather than targeting individuals.Community Engagement: On advocacy activities, including the Shine a Light Walk and community awareness events such as World Lung Cancer Day (1 August) and fundraising initiatives organised by the Lung Foundation. For practice managers and general practice teams, they are encouraged to review internal language and processes to ensure patients feel supported and able to take part in life-saving screening without fear of stigma. Links & Resources: https://lungfoundation.com.au/protect-your-lungs/national-lung-cancer-screening-program/https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-04/national-lung-cancer-screening-program-conversation-guide-discussing-participation.pdf https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/nlcsp-reducing-stigma?language=enhttps://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-06/national-lung-cancer-screening-program-low-dose-ct-request-form.pdfhttps://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-04/national-lung-cancer-screening-program-reducing-stigma-in-the-nlcsp.pdf Medicubes is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network. Mentioned in

30 min
04/09/2025

Healthy Aging Starts at 40: Muscle Health, Frailty, and Practical Tips from Bollen Health

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Kim and Riwka are joined by Dr Chris Bollen (Adelaide GP and Director of Bollen Health) and Jane Bollen (Primary Health Care Nurse Consultant) to discuss healthy ageing, focusing on primary care strategies for supporting muscle health, preventing frailty, and promoting independence from age 40 onwards. Exploring the importance of addressing muscle health proactively, the role of GPs and nurses in screening for pre-frailty, and practical approaches for embedding evidence-based practices in health assessments. Key Points: Frailty is not an inevitable part of ageing: Highlighting that frailty can be prevented and reversed with early intervention, and it should not be assumed as a normal consequence of ageing.Importance of muscle health: Loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) is a key factor in the development of frailty, and maintaining muscle strength is essential for prolonging independence and reducing complications.Simple interventions: Encouraging patients to perform simple strength exercises, such as regular sit-to-stands, and increasing dietary protein intake is said to be actionable self-management strategies.Patient-centred goals: Linking assessment and interventions to personal patient goals can improve engagement and drive meaningful behaviour change.Nutrition advice: Providing practical pointers for supporting protein intake and dispels myths about dietary restrictions in ageing, emphasising food-based approaches before supplementation.Reviewing current practice: Urges practices to focus on evidence-based assessments in health checks and care plans, instead of non-essential tests. Muscle health checks can be a valuable measure in nurse-led clinics and health assessments. Providing primary care managers, nurses, and GPs with practical considerations for implementing muscle health initiatives and reframing healthy ageing as a core component of preventive care. Link & Resources: Frailty BrochureRACGP Red Book- FrailtyRACGP Silver BookAsia Pacific Clinical Practice Guidelines for Frailty 2017 Nutrition Assessment MNA Dietitian Connection Malnutrition Resources for PatientsAre you getting enough protein?10 ways to get more protein.Protein...

36 min
21/08/2025

Best Practice Summit 2025: Innovations, AI, and the Future of Primary Care

In this episode of Medicubes, Chris, Riwka, Kim are joined live at the Best Practice Summit 2025 by Craig Hodges (CEO, Best Practice), Janice Tan (GM of Clinical at Bupa), Steven Kaye (GP and RACGP committee member), Jaspreet Saini (GP and Chief Medical Officer, HotDoc), and Kylie Payne (CEO, Interconnect Healthcare). The panel explores the primary care landscape, with a focus on technology-enabled practice management, digital health, and the practical implications for practice managers working in Australian general practice. Key Points: Celebrating Progress: Recognising recent “bright spots” in primary care, including rapid digital transformation during COVID-19, especially the adoption of eScripts, and the increasing role of AI technology.Integrating AI: Discussing practical examples of AI benefiting general practice, all while maintaining a patient-centred approach.Challenges and Risks: Addressing barriers to digital adoption in primary care. The lack of comprehensive regulation and standards around AI in Australia is also noted as a current concern for clinical safety and governance.Access and Continuity: They highlight rising wait times for appointments and shifting patterns of patient access. The tension between continuity and convenience is a central theme, with technology proposed as a bridge to close this gap.Role of Education: Emphasising the need for ongoing education of all practice staff, across clinical and administrative roles, as essential to prevent practices and patients being left behind in the rapid digital transformation of primary care.Collaborative Projects: Initiatives like the SPARK project are presented as examples of industry collaboration, aiming to align data collection across the healthcare sector to facilitate more integrated and patient-centred care.Looking Forward: Discussing what’s possible in the next five years, advocating for digital solutions that maintain a balance between technological advancement, sustainability, and optimal patient outcomes. Medicubes is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network Mentioned in this episode: Get Healthengine today! Healthengine is a proud sponsor of the Medicubes podcast. Our easy-to-integrate, and even easier to use, technology helps boost your digital presence, grow your patient base, maximise your practice efficiency and build deeper relationships with your patients. Learn more Healthengine

46 min

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The Medicubes team bring you a monthly panel conversation of exciting and challenging topics in primary health care, answering listener questions and invited guests to the discussions. Subscribe now and catch the first episode really soon!

16/07/2022

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3 min

The Medicubes team bring you a monthly panel conversation of exciting and challenging topics in primary health care, answering listener questions and invited guests to the discussions.