Pharmacy Connectivity Incentive
Background
The Fourth Community Pharmacy Agreement between the Australian Government and The Pharmacy Guild of Australia provides funding for professional pharmacy programs and services until 30 June 2010. The support of eHealth activities is a priority under this agreement.
The new Pharmacy Connectivity Incentive (PCI) program provides financial incentives to pharmacies to maintain business grade broadband internet connections. The program will run from 1 January 2008 until 30 June 2010.
The PCI program aims to:
- promote the use of Online Claiming for PBS
- promote the continued use of business grade broadband connections by community pharmacies
- increase awareness and understanding by community pharmacists of internet technologies and IT issues more generally.
The PCI program includes a Start-up Security allowance that will be made available to eligible pharmacies that have not previously been paid a Security Awareness and Conformance payment under the Broadband for Health: Pharmacy program, or a Start-up Security Allowance payment under the PCI program.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the PCI payment, a pharmacy must:
- be recognised under Section 90 of the National Health Act 1953
- be transmitting claims via Online Claiming for PBS
- use an internet service provider on the Endorsed Providers List
- be connected under a minimum 12 month Eligible Service Plan
- not have received an incentive payment for a claim relating to the same financial year.
Further information relating to eligibility, including cessation of eligibility, is contained within the PCI Participation Guidelines.
Forms and guidelines
- PCI UIN application form [PDF, 115Kb]
- PCI Claim form [PDF, 283Kb]
- PCI Participation Guidelines
- Endorsed Provider List
Contact information
To submit applications and claims:
Fax: (02) 6103 9026
Write: Pharmacy Connectivity Incentive
PO Box 9826
Hobart TAS 7001
For enquiries about claims and payment:
Call: 1800 818 111**
Email: pci@medicareaustralia.gov.au
For enquiries about endorsed service providers, Eligible Service Plans and any other aspects of the PCI program contact The Pharmacy Guild of Australia:
Online: www.guild.org.au/pci
Email: pci@guild.org.au
Call: 03 9810 9940
**Call charges apply from mobile and pay phones only.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Pharmacy Connectivity Incentive (PCI) program?
The PCI program is an eHealth initiative under the Professional Programs and Services component of the Fourth Community Pharmacy Agreement. The program will provide financial incentives to pharmacies to maintain business grade broadband internet connections.
Is my pharmacy eligible for this initiative?
To be eligible for the PCI payment, a pharmacy must:
- be recognised under Section 90 of the National Health Act 1953
- be transmitting claims via Online Claiming for PBS
- use an internet service provider on the Endorsed Providers List
- be connected under a minimum 12 month Eligible Service Plan
- not have received an incentive payment for a claim relating to the same financial year.
When does the PCI program start?
The program starts on 1 January 2008, with the first payment occurring in April 2008.
When does the PCI program end?
The incentive payment will be available until 30 June 2010. All applications must be received by Medicare Australia by 5 pm AEST 30 June 2010 for your claim to be processed.
How do I apply?
Applications for incentive payments are made using the PCI claim form [PDF, 283Kb] with an associated statutory declaration. A pharmacy must have a Unique Identification Number (UIN) before submitting a claim form.
Completed claim forms can be faxed to 02 6103 9026. The form must be submitted within 90 days of signing for your claim to be processed. Please refer to the Participation Guidelines for more information.
What is a UIN and how do I get one?
A UIN is a Unique Identification Number. It is allocated to pharmacies upon application and remains with the pharmacy location for the life of the program. If you participated in the Broadband for Health: Pharmacy program the last 5 characters of your UIN will be the same.
To obtain a UIN pharmacies must complete an application form [PDF, 115Kb]. Once the form is complete please fax to Medicare Australia.
For further information please refer to the Participation Guidelines
Will I be able to use the UIN I was assigned under the Broadband for Health: Pharmacy program?
Yes, if you participated in the Broadband for Health: Pharmacy program, you can use your existing UIN. Medicare Australia will change the first three characters when your claim is processed.
What can I do if I have lost my UIN?
You can call Medicare Australia on 1800 818 111** to obtain your UIN. If you previously participated in the Broadband for Health: Pharmacy program, the last five characters of your UIN will be the same.
** Call charges apply from mobile and pay phones only.
Can I use any broadband internet service provider?
You can only use an Endorsed Provider and an Eligible Service Plan to participate in the PCI program.
My current broadband internet service provider or service plan is not on the list, what can I do?
Only Eligible Service plans offered by Endorsed Providers can be used to participate in the PCI program
To have your current service listed, you should contact the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (the Guild) and provide the name of the internet service provider and the name of the service plan. The Guild will then assess the provider and plan against the minimum requirements of the PCI Program. If determined to be eligible, the provider/plan will be added to the list(s) and the Guild will inform you of this.
What if I already have broadband?
As the incentive payment is linked to the use of an Eligible Service Plan, you would need to check that your internet service provider is listed as an Endorsed Provider under the PCI program.
- If your internet service provider is an Endorsed Provider then you would need to check that the service you are receiving is an Eligible Service Plan under the PCI program.
- If your internet service provider is an Endorsed Provider, but you are not on an Eligible Service Plan, then you should contact the Guild and provide the name of the internet service provider and the name of the service plan. The Guild will then assess the plan against the minimum requirements of the PCI program. If determined to be eligible, the plan will be added to the Eligible Service Plan list and the Guild will inform you of this.
- If your internet service provider is not listed on the Endorsed Provider list, you should contact the Guild and provide the name of the internet service provider and the name of the service plan that you are connected to or intend to connect to. The Guild will then assess the provider and plan against the minimum requirements of the PCI program. If determined to be eligible, the provider and plan will be added to the list(s) and the Guild will inform you of this.
I participated in the Broadband for Health: Pharmacy program. When am I able to claim the PCI?
If you claimed an incentive under the Broadband for Health: Pharmacy program during 2007–08 (the period 1 July 2007 to 31 December 2007), you are not able to claim a PCI before 1 July 2008.
If you did not claim an incentive under the Broadband for Health: Pharmacy program during 2007–08 (the period 1 July 2007 to 31 December 2007), you can claim a PCI from 1 January 2008.
Ensure that you have an Eligible Service Plan with an Endorsed Provider, and meet other eligibility requirements, before applying for the incentive payment.
I’ve been told that broadband is not available in my area. Is this true?
There are times when an internet service provider will tell you that they cannot deliver a service to your area. This may mean that there is no infrastructure in place to provide a service, or that the internet service provider does not have the capacity to supply a service to you at this time.
You may be able to use an Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) through a different service provider, or you may be eligible for a wireless, cable or satellite solution. Check the Pharmacy Guild of Australia website for more information on Eligible Service Plans. Please note that there are additional requirements for eligibility for the full satellite incentive.
What incentive amount am I entitled to?
Incentive payments are an annual lump sum amount. Incentive levels are based on your pharmacy’s Rural, Remote and Metropolitan Area (RRMA) classification. The table displays the maximum incentive you are entitled to.
| RRMA location | Terrestrial | Satellite |
|---|---|---|
| RRMA 1 | $700 | $5000 |
| RRMA 2 | $730 | $5000 |
| RRMA 3 | $760 | $5000 |
| RRMA 4 | $790 | $5000 |
| RRMA 5 | $820 | $5000 |
| RRMA 6 | $850 | $5000 |
| RRMA 7 | $880 | $5000 |
To find out your RRMA classification please call 1800 818 111**. In the majority of cases an operator will be able to provide your RRMA classification.
**Call charges apply from mobile and pay phones only.
What is the SSA? How do I apply for it?
The SSA is the Start-up Security Allowance. It is paid to pharmacies participating in the PCI Program that have not previously received a SSA under this program, or a Security Awareness and Conformance Report (SACR) payment under the Broadband for Health: Pharmacy Program. The SSA is a one-off payment of $500, in addition to the incentive payment.
To apply for the SSA, please ensure that you check the ‘tick-box’ option on the claim form.
When will I get paid?
All payments will be made to your nominated Section 90 approval bank account upon the processing of your incentive claim form by Medicare Australia. The first payment under the PCI Program will be made in April 2008. Pharmacies that are entitled to receive the SSA will be paid the Allowance with their first incentive payment.
How frequently can I claim an incentive payment?
A pharmacy can claim an incentive payment once every 12 months. Pharmacies are able to claim their second year incentive payment 12 months after claiming their first year incentive payment. Each 12 month period requires a separate claim to be submitted to Medicare Australia.
Where can I find more information about the PCI Program?
The PCI Participation Guidelines provide more information on the PCI Program.
For information regarding claims or payment queries, contact us
For all other enquiries, please contact The Pharmacy Guild of Australia
Website: www.guild.org.au/pci
Telephone: 03 9810 9940
Email: pci@guild.org.au.
Some documents on this page may require the free Adobe PDF reader.
Last updated: 20 August, 2008