What's new?

May 2009

We are running a regionally focused and targeted communication campaign to promote Medicare electronic claiming to Medicare cardholders. If your practice is in one of the targeted areas, you will receive a letter to inform you about the messages we are delivering locally.

For more information about patient claiming through Medicare Online and Medicare Easyclaim call 1800 700 199 to talk to one of our Business Development Officers.

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PBS forms

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) ensures all Australian residents have access to necessary and life-saving medicines at an affordable price. Most medicines available on prescription are subsidised under the PBS.

Medicare Australia administers the PBS, which includes processing claims and paying benefits for the PBS and RPBS.

PBS forms are available to download from this site.

The Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits

The Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits lists the medicines available under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The Schedule is published online at the PBS WebsiteExternal link and updated monthly to include new listings and the latest changes. The Schedule may be downloaded or printed from this website. A printed copy or CD Rom version of the Schedule may be purchased from the print on demand vendor.  More details are available at the PBS Health ProfessionalExternal link page.

PBS entitlement checking

Stationery Reorder Form

This service now allows pharmacists to order Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) stationery items over the internet. Initially, it will be possible to order repeat authorisation forms with other stationery items to be added. This facility is being provided and managed by Norcross Pty Ltd, and is supported by Medicare Australia.

How to Register

Pharmacists who wish to order stationery over the internet will need to register by visiting Norcross onlineExternal link. When you have accessed the site and registered, you will then need to complete the pharmacy details. Once this is completed you will be registered within 48 hours. If you have not yet registered to order over the internet or if you would like to place an order, visit Norcross onlineExternal link. For further information email pharmacy@norcross.com.auEmail.

If you have already registered and now wish to place an order please visit NorcrossExternal link.

Pharmacy Stationery Online Ordering System FAQ

 What forms are available to order electronically?
It is possible for pharmacies to order Repeat Authorisation Forms electronically. This form, is the most commonly utilised/ordered form. Both Norcross and the Medicare Australia intend to make other forms available to order on-line.
 What security measures have been put in place to ensure that people can't order stationery under my name?
To order stationery through the online system, both a security pin and the pharmacy approval number will be required with every transaction.
 How quickly after placing an order will my stock arrive?
Once you are registered, if you place an order before 11am, the order will be dispatched the same day. If you order after 11am, it will be despatched the next day. If an order is placed on a public holiday or the weekend, it will be treated as if ordered before 11am on the next working day.
 Will it be quicker than the current ordering system?
Yes. Ordering online removes the inconvenience of posting an order to Norcross. Instead, it is instantaneous, and provides you with a confirmation page to be used as a transaction receipt.
 Why is Norcross, and not Medicare Australia, providing the online stationery ordering service to pharmacies?
Norcross currently receive, process and deliver stationery items on behalf of the Medicare Australia. The step towards online ordering is one that Norcross have taken with the full support of the Medicare Australia to make the ordering process more convenient and faster than the current method.

PBS export declaration form

The PBS export declaration form must be included when sending medicines overseas.

Authority for authorised pharmacist(s) to sign claim form

The Authority for authorised pharmacist(s) to sign claim form can be used to authorise another pharmacist to lodge claims on your behalf.

Obtaining Medicare numbers

Medicare Australia provides a Medicare number hotline to assist pharmacists to obtain Medicare (or Veteran's) card numbers for use in Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) claims. This phone service allows pharmacists to call Medicare Australia and with the consent of their patient, obtain the patient's Medicare (or Veteran's) card number and card expiry date. The hotline number is 132 290.

The hotline can release a maximum of five numbers and expiry dates per call. For more than five numbers, Medicare Australia has established a fax back service to pharmacists. The Medicare number release form may be used to obtain patients' Medicare (or Veteran's) card numbers and expiry dates.

The 'Seemingly Valid Medicare Card Form' may be used when:

  • the pharmacist has made a claim for payment for a pharmaceutical benefit for a patient, based on a Medicare number that appeared to be valid at the time of the initial claim, but it was found during processing that the Medicare details are invalid, and a 90-day warning was returned to the pharmacist; AND
  • the patient has presented another prescription and cannot provide any alternate Medicare details, and the pharmacist is satisfied that the original details provided by the patient are correct.

Please note: the pharmacist must have no reason to believe that the patient is NOT entitled to receive pharmaceutical benefits.

If the above criteria is satisfied, the pharmacist should use the 'Seemingly valid Medicare card' special number, complete and attach the form to the prescription for submission for payment in their next claim to Medicare Australia. Alternatively, pharmacists can choose to photocopy or photograph the Medicare card. The pharmacist is then required to use the same special number, and attach the photocopy or photograph to the prescription for submission for payment in their next claim to Medicare Australia.

Remote Aboriginal Health Services

The supply of pharmaceutical benefit items under Section 100 of the National Health Act 1953

To improve access to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Remote Area Aboriginal Health Services (RAAHS) can use a new electronic order form, available from this site.

Only RAAHS approved by the Department of Health and Ageing, who have been issued with a six digit approval/registration number and a check digit number, can use the form to request PBS supplies from a community pharmacy or public sector hospital pharmacy.

All orders must be submitted to the pharmacy prior to supply being initiated. After supply, the community pharmacy or public sector hospital pharmacy will claim reimbursement from Medicare Australia using the completed order form or a Medicare Australia approved alternative form.

Please remember, the approval/registration number must appear on all documents associated with the ordering and supply of PBS items under this arrangement.

For more information or a copy of the new forms as a Microsoft word file, please call the Pharmaceutical Benefits branch on 02 6124 6000.

Form

The form is available as a pdf file. Because of software restrictions, the information you enter cannot be saved.

The form is also available as a Microsoft word document. For a copy please call the Pharmaceutical Benefits branch on 02 6124 6000.

Hospitals

The following forms relate to Hospitals and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Approval of a hospital authority to supply pharmaceutical benefits:

Some documents on this page may require the free Adobe PDF reader.

Last updated: 20 April, 2009