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Medicare Australia - Australian Government
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June 2008
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Streamlined authority process

The streamlined authority process

The Pharmacuetical Benefits Schedule (the Schedule) now identifies certain items as Authority required (Streamlined). Prescriptions for listed quantities and/or repeats for these items no longer require telephone approval from Medicare Australia or DVA to obtain an authority approval number.

Prescribers can find the streamlined authority code in the Schedule next to the text that describes the indications for which the item may be prescribed.

Placement of authority approval number on prescriptions

Prescribers will still need to place the authority approval number on the prescription to show that it meets agreed prescribing requirements. No changes have been made to requirements about the placement of this number or any other information on the prescription. The streamlined authority code will be published next to the appropriate indication in the Schedule.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs approval process

Some authority required items are listed in both the PBS and RPBS sections of the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits, e.g. clopidogrel. There are no authority required (STREAMLINED) items listed in the RPBS Schedule.

RPBS prescriptions can be written with a streamlined authority code. This is because veterans can be prescribed any item in the general section of the Schedule—including authority required (STREAMLINED) items—as long as they meet the relevant requirements.

RPBS prescriptions that have been endorsed with a streamlined authority code can be dispensed with the relevant PBS streamlined authority item code as specified on the prescription.

Increased quantities and repeats

When a prescriber wants to increase quantities and/or repeats, prior authority must be sought from either Medicare Australia or DVA. The streamlined authority process will not apply in these circumstances.

Helpful hints for prescribers

We have noticed that an increased volume of items have been prescribed without a valid authority approval number (e.g. Z1232ab) or a correct four digit streamlined authority code (e.g. 1234) on the prescription.

This most commonly occurs when:

  1. an item code (e.g. 1822X) has been included instead of either a valid streamlined authority code or a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) or Medicare Australia issued authority approval number
  2. an item code or a streamlined authority code is being used on items for quantities and/or repeats above what is listed in the Schedule.

Remember:

  • Ensure that your patient meets the authority restriction criteria before prescribing any streamlined authority required medicine.
  • When prescribing an authority prescription, please ensure that the correct authority approval number is on the prescription.
  • Streamlined authority codes are only valid on prescriptions for items marked Authority required (STREAMLINED) in the Schedule. The streamlined authority code must be in the correct format which consists of four digits (e.g. 1234).
  • Authority approval numbers issued by either Medicare Australia (e.g. z1234ab) or DVA (e.g. DVA4567cd) must be present on prescriptions for items marked Authority required in the Schedule.
  • For increased quantities and/or additional repeats above those specified in the Schedule for streamlined authority items, an authority approval number issued by either Medicare Australia (e.g. z1234ab) or DVA (e.g. DVA4567cd) must be present. A streamlined authority code will not be accepted.

If you are uncertain about the streamlined authority process or the appropriate code to use, please contact Medicare Australia or DVA for support.

For Medicare Australia authority prescription approvals call 1800 888 333

For DVA authority prescription approvals call 1800 552 580

Last updated: 28 May, 2008

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