RECOMMENDATIONS of a review of the government's Medical Indemnity Insurance Fund may impact pharmacists, with coverage under the scheme likely to be limited to medical practitioners.
The change relates to the High Cost Claims Scheme (HCCS) which was introduced in 2002.
The scheme currently reimburses medical indemnity insurers 50% of any payout from $300,000 up to the limit of the practitioner's cover.
However the scheme was never intended to apply to pharmacists, but ambiguity in the legislation has allowed Guild Insurance to access the program.
Interestingly the majority of claims under the scheme in respect of health professionals have been made by Guild Insurance, which has warned that changes to the legislation "may result in increased premiums for health professionals".
The government has not issued a response to the review at this stage - view the document online at health.gov.au.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 22 May 18
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