Prescriber number for health professionals in Medicare 012-42010030

Check the application to make sure the following fields have been completed:

• First name and surname
• Date of birth
• Existing provider number (if applicable)
• Indicated prescriber number is needed
• Declaration must be signed

Check that the medical practitioner:

• Has a provider number (or is applying for a provider number)
• Has current medical registration with Ahpra that does not have restrictions to prescribe medications

If an application cannot be processed or if the request is incomplete, see Table 6.

Allocate a prescriber number in the Provider Directory System (PDS).

Select Qualification tab

In the Prescriber Status field select Prescriber

• Select Save

Select the appropriate letter template

• Z2701 for a prescriber number issued in conjunction with a new provider number or
• Z2193 for a prescriber number only
• complete appropriate fields of letter template
• save letter as a PDF
• upload letter to PaNDA
• make sure that the Surname First Name, Provider Number and Case ID fields are completed and correct
• print the letter and send to the medical practitioner
• add any appropriate notes to the PaNDA file
• select Complete
• Select Request Approved
• Select Save or Save and Next, as appropriate

Note: start date of the prescriber number on the letter is date of issue or first location start date whichever is later.

Check the application to make sure the following fields have been completed:

• First name and surname
• Date of birth
• Existing provider number (if applicable)
• Indicated prescriber number is needed
• Declaration must be signed

Check that the dentist:

• Has a provider number (or is applying for a provider number)
• Holds registration with Ahpra as a dentist, and does not have restrictions to prescribe medications

Go to the Ahpra website and take a snip of the Ahpra registration details. Copy the image into a Word document, convert to a PDF and upload to PaNDA (even if a copy of the Ahpra registration has been supplied with the application).

Note: Representative Public Dentists (RPDs) are not eligible for a prescriber number.

If an application cannot be processed or if the request is incomplete, see Table 6.

In PaNDA

• Make sure the Surname, First Name. Provider Number and Case ID fields are complete and correct
• Select Processing Notes
• Select Add Processing Note
• Add a processing note stating ‘delegate approval required for prescriber number’
• Select Confirm
• Select Details
• Select Send for Delegation

When the application is Approved, go to Step 4.

Allocate a prescriber number in the Provider Directory System (PDS).

• Select Qualification tab
• in the Prescriber Status field select Prescriber
• Select Save

Select the appropriate letter template:

• Z2599 for a prescriber number issued in conjunction with a new provider number or
• Z2193 for a prescriber number only

• Complete appropriate fields of letter template
• Save letter as a PDF
• Upload letter to PaNDA
• Make sure that the Surname First Name, Provider Number and Case ID fields are completed and correct
• Print the letter and send to the medical practitioner
• Add any appropriate notes to the PaNDA file
• Select Complete
• Select Request Approved
• Select Save or Save and Next, as appropriate

Note: start date of the prescriber number on the letter is date of issue or first location start date whichever is later.

Check the application to make sure the following fields have been completed:

• First name and surname
• Date of birth
• Existing provider number (if applicable)
• Indicated prescriber number is needed
• Declaration must be signed

Check that the optometrist:

• Has a provider number (or is applying for a provider number)
• Holds current Ahpra registration as an optometrist
• Is endorsed with Ahpra as qualified to administer, obtain, possess, prescribe, supply or use topical schedule 2, 3 or 4 medicines for the purposes of the practice of optometry
• Go to the Ahpra website and take a snip of the Ahpra registration details. Copy the image into a Word document, convert to a PDF and upload to PaNDA (even if a copy of the Ahpra registration has been supplied with the application)

If an application cannot be processed or if the request is incomplete, see Table 6.

In PaNDA:

• Make sure the Surname, First Name. Provider Number and Case ID fields are complete and correct
• Select Processing Notes
• Select Add Processing Note
• Add a processing note stating ‘delegate approval required for prescriber number’
• Select Confirm
• Select Details
• Select Send for Delegation

When the application is Approved, go to Step 4.

Allocate a prescriber number in Provider Directory System (PDS).

• Select Qualification tab
• in the Prescriber Status field select Prescriber
• Select Specialty tab
• Select Add Specialty Code
• Key 551 into Specialty Code Description
• Key date of processing in the Start Date field
• No End Date needed
• Select Add New
• Select Cancel
• Select Save

Select the appropriate letter template

• Z2599 for a prescriber number issued in conjunction with a new provider number or
• Z2193 for a prescriber number only

• Complete appropriate fields of letter template
• Save letter as a PDF
• Upload letter to PaNDA
• Make sure that the Surname First Name, Provider Number and Case ID fields are completed and correct
• Print the letter and send to the medical practitioner
• Add any appropriate notes to the PaNDA file
• Select Complete
• Select Request Approved
• Select Save or Save and Next, as appropriate

Note: start date of the prescriber number on the letter is date of issue or first location start date whichever is later.

Check the application to make sure the following fields have been completed:

• First name and surname
• Date of birth
• Existing provider number (if applicable)
• Indicated prescriber number is needed
• Declaration must be signed

Note: make sure the Application for a Medicare provider number and/or PBS prescriber number for a midwife or nurse practitioner form (HW088) has been completed.

Check that the nurse practitioner:

• Has a provider number (or is applying for a provider number)
• Holds current Ahpra registration as a nurse
• Has 'Nurse Practitioner' endorsement on their Ahpra registration
• Go to the Ahpra website and take a snip of the Ahpra registration details. Copy the image into a Word document, convert to a PDF and upload to PaNDA (even if a copy of the Ahpra registration has been supplied with the application)

If an application cannot be processed or if the request is incomplete, see Table 6

In PaNDA:

• Make sure the Surname, First Name. Provider Number and Case ID fields are complete and correct
• Select Processing Notes
• Select Add Processing Note
• Add a processing note stating “delegate approval required for prescriber number”
• Select Confirm
• Select Details
• Select Send for Delegation

Note: if the application is for an initial provider number, move the work item to the National Office Escalation folder in PaNDA.

When the application is Approved, go to Step 4.

When the nurse practitioner works:

• In private practice - a provider number is issued for billing appropriate MBS items. The specialty code 651 is added to the stem and location. The location provider number may be released to the nurse practitioner or appropriate third party
• In a government funded clinic/hospital/health service listed on a 19(2) or 19(5) Direction - a provider number is issued for billing appropriate MBS items. The specialty code 651 is added to the stem and location. The location provider number may be released to the nurse practitioner or appropriate third party
• In public hospital with refer and request rights, or where only prescribing access is required - a provider number is issued for refer and request only. The specialty code 651 is added to the stem and location with the location service ruled to prevent claiming of Medicare benefits when not eligible to claim Medicare benefits. The location provider number may be released to the nurse practitioner or appropriate third party

Allocate a prescriber number in Provider Directory System (PDS) edit mode.

• Select Qualification tab
• In the Prescriber Status field select Prescriber
• Select Save

Note: where the nurse practitioner has asked for a prescriber number only and a provider record has not previously been created, see Step 13 in the Specialty Code field table in Provider Directory System (PDS) specialty codes for allied health and non-medical health professionals

Select the appropriate letter template

• Z2599 for a prescriber number issued in conjunction with a new provider number or
• Z2193 for a prescriber number only

• Complete appropriate fields of letter template
• Save letter as a PDF
• Upload letter to PaNDA
• Make sure that the Surname First Name, Provider Number and Case ID fields are completed and correct
• Print the letter and send to the medical practitioner
• Add any appropriate notes to the PaNDA file
• Select Complete
• Select Request Approved
• Select Save or Save and Next, as appropriate

Note: start date of the prescriber number on the letter is date of issue or first location start date whichever is later.

Check the application to make sure the following fields have been completed:

• First name and surname
• Date of birth
• Existing provider number (if applicable)
• Indicated prescriber number is required
• Declaration must be signed

Check that the midwife:

• Has a provider number
• Holds current Ahpra registration as a Midwife
• Is endorsed on Ahpra with the wording:
• 'An endorsed midwife qualified to prescribe schedule 2, 3, 4 and 8 medicines and to provide services required for midwifery practice in accordance with relevant State and Territory legislation'

Go to the Ahpra website and take a snip of the Ahpra registration details. Copy the image into a Word document, convert to a PDF and upload to PaNDA (even if a copy of the Ahpra registration has been supplied with the application).

In PaNDA:

• Make sure the Surname, First Name. Provider Number and Case ID fields are complete and correct
• Select Processing Notes
• Select Add Processing Note
• Add a processing note stating ‘delegate approval required for prescriber number’
• Select Confirm
• Select Details
• Select Send for Delegation

Note: if the application is for an initial provider number, move the work item to the National Office Escalation folder in PaNDA.

When the application is Approved, go to Step 4

When the midwife works:

• In private practice - a provider number is issued for billing appropriate MBS items. The specialty code 652 is added to the stem and location. This location provider number may be released to the midwife or appropriate third party
• In a government funded clinic/hospital/health service listed on a 19(2) or 19(5) Direction - a provider number is issued for billing appropriate MBS items. The specialty code 652 is added to the stem and location. The location provider number may be released to the nurse practitioner or appropriate third party
• In public hospital with refer and request rights, or where only prescribing access is required - a provider number is issued for refer and request only. The specialty code 652 is added to the stem and location with the location service ruled to prevent claiming of Medicare benefits when not eligible to claim Medicare benefits. The location provider number may be released to the midwife or appropriate third party

Allocate a prescriber number in the Provider Directory System (PDS):

• Select Qualification tab
• In the Prescriber Status field select Prescriber
• Select Save

Note: where the midwife has asked for a prescriber number only and a provider record has not previously been created, see Step 12 in the Specialty Code field table in Provider Directory System (PDS) specialty codes for allied health and non-medical health professionals.

Select the appropriate letter template:

• Z2599 for a prescriber number issued in conjunction with a new provider number or
• Z2193 for a prescriber number only

• Complete appropriate fields of letter template
• Save letter as a PDF
• Upload letter to PaNDA
• Make sure that the Surname First Name, Provider Number and Case ID fields are completed and correct
• Print the letter and send to the medical practitioner
• Add any appropriate notes to the PaNDA file
• Select Complete
• Select Request Approved
• Select Save or Save and Next, as appropriate

Note: start date of the prescriber number on the letter is date of issue or first location start date whichever is later.

Where the application cannot be processed due to:

• Application is incomplete - use Z2306 Provider Registration - We need more information letter template
• Health professional is ineligible to be issued with a prescriber number - use Z2305 Provider Registration - Reject letter template

• Complete appropriate fields of letter template
• Print letter and application and post to the health professional
• Save letter as a PDF
• Upload letter to PaNDA
• In PaNDA, make sure the Surname First Name, Provider Number and Case ID fields are completed and correct
• Add any appropriate notes to the PaNDA file
• Select Complete
• Select “Request Rejected” in the Complete Reason field
• Select Save or Save and Next as appropriate