The AMA is spruiking a new patient resource for informed financial consent.
In its new guide to informed financial consent, the AMA touts the importance of billing policies for individual clinicians and practices.
Ideally, it said, every doctor should have a written billing policy that covers when payment is required, any discounts or additional fees, acceptable forms of payment and the contact details of a nominated person with which the patient can discuss payment issues.
“Medical practitioners also need to take responsibility for ensuring patients are aware of their fees and should promote open discussions with patients about health care costs,” AMA president Dr Danielle McMullen said.
“Providing information to patients about costs of their treatment is sound ethical, professional and business practice.”
The association also included a sample list of questions for patients to ask their doctor, which include “what are your fees”, “is you fee an estimate only”, “if the cost changes, when will you let me know” and “should I contact my health fund”.
In the section on disputing fees, the AMA said doctors and patients “should come to an informed financial consent” on costs prior to payment.
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It also warned against charging a booking fee or prepayment unrelated to an MBS item or an item from another schedule.
“Patients have the right to ask for an estimate of fees before they receive the service or agree to a proposed treatment,” the guide read.
“Medical practitioners are legally able to request prepayment from a patient for a procedure, this is not the same as a booking fee or split billing.
“Medical practitioners should keep the time between prepayment and procedure to a minimum to reduce negative impacts on patients.
“The patient should also be made aware that they will not be able to make a claim in respect of that payment until the procedure has actually happened.”
Around 30 Australian medical colleges and societies – including the RACGP and ACRRM – were co-signatories on the new guide.
