When applying for a Medicare provider number, do I have to provide a practice address and what happens if this is my home address as I’m a mobile practice?

Yes, when applying for a Medicare Provider Number clinicians are required to provide a physical address for their practice. If you provide services from different addresses, then this requires a separate Medicare provider number for each location. Careful consideration should be given to using a residential or other private address as provider number location address may be publicly available (eg, viewable in-patient claims history in myGov, included on written referrals, and available to private health funds).

Medicare will consider withholding the providers address in certain circumstances, such as where therapists deliver services in the community, and where the decision has been made not to see clients in the home office of the therapist. Medicare reported that the OT should attach a letter to the provider number application outlining why they want to withhold their practice address. Further details can be found here or call 132 150.

Where can I find more information about billing systems?

There are multiple systems within which occupational therapists work and can be rebated, it is not feasible to replicate this information on the OTA site and to keep it updated.
Medicare Information The HICAPS website list their OT codes plus current private health funds with OT rebates Enhanced government packages are an alternate source of rebate eg. Individual practitioners are advised to read the material such as Chronic Disease Management, Individual Allied Health Services under Medicare and Provider Information, to see if their practice can be rebated under these systems. Better Access to Mental Health NDIS

Refer to local state information regarding WorkCover, TAC, iCare etc.

What should I charge for an OT assessment/report/ therapy?

While we can't provide financial advice for your practice, we have the following suggestions to help determine what you might bill for reports/assessments/therapy:

• review pricing guides of compensatory schemes in your state/territory (eg. NDIS, WorkCover, TAC, icare)
• consider all the costs associated with the report including assessment time, preparation and travel
• seek financial advice
• be mindful of the law regarding cartel activity - go to the ACCC website for information on cartels.

How do I register a business name?

The tax office addresses ABNs and business names. Refer to these two websites for full information:

• Business or company registrations
• Registering a business name

Do occupational therapy services attract GST?

To determine if GST relates to your practice, we encourage you seek advice from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and/or discuss financial related matters with suitably qualified and experienced accounting and tax related provider.

Information can be found on the ATO website. The Small Business website for your relevant State/Territory may also be able to assist. As professional association it is not in our scope to provide financial or legal advice.

What insurance cover do I require?

Occupational therapists must have PII to register with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). Read Ahpra's PII registration standard.

There are other insurance types (in addition to PII) that could also apply to you. Understanding the types of insurance you're required to hold as well as those you should consider can help protect you. To understand your full insurance requirements and any other insurances that may apply to you, we advise seeking the advice of an insurance broker. If you're a business owner you may find it helpful to seek business and legal advice as well.

You can find more information on Ahpra's PII FAQ page.

OTA is unable to provide any advice around your insurance requirements or amount of cover that you require. 

What resources are available to help private practitioners understand cyber security and what are my obligations?

As an occupational therapist you are required to manage and store all personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) Guide to Securing Personal Information will help you to understand the ‘reasonable steps’ that your business should take to protect personal information that you hold. The guide will assist you to conduct an assessment of risks and help you identify strategies to mitigate risks. In Part B you will find a large amount of information that is particularly relevant to cyber security.

The Australian Digital Health Agency has a lot of helpful and practical information on cyber security, you can access the webpage here. This includes an eLearning course, an Information Security Guide for Small Healthcare Businesses as well as other useful information within the webpage

If you are concerned about cyber risk to your business, you could consider Cyber insurance. Cyber insurance helps protect you against loss from certain cyber related threats. You are best to speak to your insurance broker for more information on cyber security insurance. OTA are unable to provide any advice around your insurance requirements.