Whilst RACGP will receive the Medicare provider number (MPN) paperwork, it’s the responsibility of the registrar and the training site to ensure they have an active MPN for the relevant location at commencement and throughout their placement (and to request any extension at the completion of training).

Location, location, location

MPNs are location specific, and where a registrar is at more than one location (accredited training site – e.g. working at a branch practice) or as a visiting medical officer (VMO), an MPN must be in place for each location.

Process

As part of the registrar placement process, the RACGP will receive applications for MPN and these are forwarded to Services Australia so that an MPN can be issued.

Registrars must:

• Ensure applications are completed and provided to RACGP;
• Allow sufficient time to enable processing by RACGP and account for delays during peak times both at RACGP and Services Australia;
• Verify that a MPN is active for their site before the registrar starts billing patients;
•  Have systems and processes to monitor provider number start and end dates.

Whilst every effort is made to support registrars and training sites with this process, RACGP cannot accept responsibility for:

• Delays in processing due to incomplete applications
• Failure to ensure MPN is current and active prior to billing patients
• Failure of training sites to have systems and processes to monitor expiry dates
• Any losses incurred due to delays in issuing or extending MPNs.