The president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, rebutted what he said were suggestions by federal health minister Tony Abbott that doctors had stalled projects like Health Insurance Commission Online (HIC Online).
HIC Online is one component of HealthConnect, the greater government health initiative to produce a standard electronic records system for patients, which will be implemented for the first time in November, starting with Tasmania.
HIC Online aims to develop an electronic system for general practitioners (GPs) to send Medicare claims, and other claims for payment, to the Insurance Commission.
Dr Haikerwal said over 90 percent of GPs already use electronic prescribing systems, but they haven't been properly consulted on HIC Online.
"The process has stalled because the government has not provided a clear business case for doctors to further expand their use of IT.
"The AMA has consistently advised the government that HIC Online, as it currently operates, does not present a good business case for GPs," he said in a statement.
The AMA had already called the government to fix two problems with HIC Online, Dr Haikerwal said.
One was to ensure private billing that allowed patients to pay their full fee up front, but have the Medicare rebate paid immediately to their account, was available.
The other issue was when a rebate is assigned to a doctor under a bulk bill, or when a bill is submitted through HIC Online, the doctor's payment should be made immediately into the appropriate account. Systems like these are already common in the finance sector, claims the AMA.
Dr Haikerwal also rejected the possibility of HIC Online participation becoming mandatory for GP accreditation.
"If the government consulted with doctors and built electronic systems that met the needs of doctors and patients, no mandate would be necessary," he said.
Abbott could not be contacted for comment at the time of publication.
