THE Department of Health and Aged Care is reminding pharmacists of their legal obligation to certify their claims for the supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines.
It comes as the department and Services Australia work with pharmacists and stakeholders to continue to bring down the number of outstanding uncertified PBS claims, with an estimated $1.51 billion worth outstanding in Dec last year.
"Payments issued to PBS suppliers in advance of finalising a claim supports timely access of medicines to Australians, and quicker remuneration of approved suppliers for supplies of PBS medicines," said a departmental spokesperson.
"To finalise a claim, a PBS supplier must complete a statement to certify that the supply of PBS medicines have been made in accordance with legal requirements within 30 days of the end of the relevant claim period."
The department assured pharmacists that despite the large benefit amount in outstanding uncertified claims, "the system is working", and more than 98% of claims were certified by pharmacies and hospitals within the required 30 days for the last financial year.
Departmental contact with a number of approved suppliers resulted in a significant reduction in the number of uncertified claims, with many unaware of the timeframe in which certification isrequired.
The department is now working with more approved suppliers to further reduce uncertified claims.
"The overwhelming majority of uncertified claims are from pharmacists and hospitals, 70% of which have only a single uncertified claim period," the spokesperson said.
"We appreciate the efforts of approved suppliers in meeting their legal obligation, and the speed in which they have actioned outstanding uncertified claims to date," they added.
More information on how to certify and close their PBS claims can be found on the Services Australia website HERE. KB
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