From 13 February 2017, HBF will join the AHSA Gap Cover system. This will occur in all states except WA.

If you have been using the HBF or HBF10 schedule, you should adjust your fee schedule to the AHSA fee for your state.

Since HBF will now use the 'Access Gap Cover' scheme, copayments will be allowed as in the AHSA guidlines.

 

Prior to this ...

 

There were 3 schedules for HBF stored in Access Anaesthetics - HBF, HBF10 and HBF_WA.

 

HBF is used for known-gaps where the doctor wants to charge a copayment to the patient.

 

HBF10 is 10% higher than the HBF schedule and is used for no-gap accounts.

 

When using the HBF known-gap schedule, the maximum gap allowable is just 10% above the HBF fee. This means that the maximum charge using this system is equal to the no-gap fee. If a higher copayment is charged, the fund will pay only the 25% rebate up to the Medicare schedule fee.

 

HBF_WA provides a higher fee but is for WA anaesthetists only and is a no-gap schedule only.

 

For more details see the HBF provider guide here https://www.hbf.com.au/~/media/files/pdfs/1114%20HI-395%20Gap%20Provider%20Guide

 

If this link is unavailable, go to the HBF registration page below, select Medical Provider, then Medical Gap Provider Guide.

https://www.hbf.com.au/about-hbf/for-providers/registration-information