Provider numbers - what you need to know

Provider numbers

Registering with Medicare Australia (132 150) is necessary to be recognised as a provider of osteopathic services and enable your patients to claim any rebate to which they may be entitled. Not having a provider number does not prevent you from practising; you can only provide rebates. You will need to fill out an application form and provide proof of your registration.  A different provider number is required for each practising address. 

You can download an application form for Allied Health Professionals from www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/organisations/health-professionals/forms/hw093 

You can now apply online for a provider number via PRODA. To create an account, visit the following link: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/apply-for-initial-provider-and-prescriber-numbers. Please note that some members have reported issues accessing the online portal and have been advised to lodge the form manually.

Once registered for your first provider number, you can apply for additional numbers via the Health Professionals Online Service (HPOS) on the Services Australia website. You can read more about how to register for HPOS and what it enables you to do on the Services Australia website: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/organisations/health-professionals/services/medicare/hpos. Log in regularly to keep your HPOS account active. Access to HPOS is suspended after six months of inactivity, but it can be easily reactivated by logging in again.

NOTE: It is against the law to use somebody else’s provider number or let somebody use yours. Breaching this condition can have serious consequences for practitioners. Osteopathy Australia strongly recommends cancelling your provider number when you cease practising in a location. 

For a step-by-step guide on how to apply for your Medicare Provider numbers, click here. 

Locums of up to two weeks 

Practitioners who provide services at a location for less than two weeks and do not expect to ever return to that location may be able to use an existing provider number from another location (but not the number of another provider). You must contact Medicare to seek permission before using one of your existing provider numbers. Osteopaths doing any other type of locum work, or if you return to locations on a regular basis, even for short periods, must make sure they have a separate provider number for each different practice location. 

Provider number enquiries should be directed to Medicare on 132 150 or www.servicesaustralia.gov.au