Govt taskforce targets pathology kickbacks

A NEW investigation into kickbacks and collusion between pathology providers and healthcare professionals has sparked fresh concerns among doctors.

Last Thursday, Human Services Minister Chris Bowen announced that a Medicare Australia taskforce had been established to look at inducements offered to healthcare professionals in exchange for pathology referrals.

“Medicare Australia intelligence indicates a small minority of providers may be offering health professionals benefits such as free or discounted rent, shares or cash payments to encourage requests for their services,” Mr Bowen said.

“The Government will not tolerate this prohibited practice, which may result in patients undergoing unnecessary tests.”

The new taskforce will examine allegations received, map request trends within claiming data and analyse rental information to identify irregular relationships.

It is unclear what has prompted the fresh investigations; however, it coincides with a case in the Victorian Supreme Court in which Primary Health Care has alleged that Healthscope’s Gribbles Pathology has been offering inducements to staff at a Melbourne hospital in return for business.

However, GPs are worried the taskforce is “out for blood” and that they will be caught up in the investigations. 

“People like me who have a lot of elderly sick patients [could] be targeted because we do a lot of pathology and radiology requests,” said NSW GP Dr Catherine Brassill.

RACGP pathology spokesperson Dr Nick Demediuk said the creation of the taskforce was “political posturing” as the Government struggled to keep health on the agenda.

“It seems like it’s kite flying, and I’m not sure why it has come up now... when these types of allegations have been around for such a long time,” he said.

Dr Demediuk added that he was concerned the remit of the taskforce included mapping request trends, noting doctors might refer to the same pathology provider for any number of reasons, including convenience, quality and collection services. 

Practice management consultant David Dahm called for calm among GPs.

“I would urge GPs not to overreact to this,” he said. 

“They should double-check the terms of their pathology tenders and make sure all their arrangements are above board. 

“If they have done everything correctly, then they have nothing to worry about.”

Meanwhile, the investigation has won the support of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. The investigation would “play a vital role in ensuring the integrity of the Medicare program”, the college said.