Changes to MIPS membership categories

We have simplified our membership categories to better align them with your AHPRA registration details. New categories, classifications and practice bases apply from 1 July 2015 and are based on your current membership and AHPRA registration details.

When selecting a membership category, members must first select their category based on the practice they undertake. The category list is derived from a list of specialties and for some such as ‘General Practitioners’ and ‘Physicians’, members may need to determine if their practice is procedural or non-procedural.

Once the category is determined a practice basis will apply based on information including:

• your level of training and whether or not you have obtained specialist registration,
• the percentage of your practice that is indemnified by your employer,
• the amount of non-employer indemnified practice based on billings you generate and/or where there are no billings generated by you (or on your behalf), your salary for that practice,
• your average weekly hours of work,
• if you have ceased practice permanently or temporarily and/or undertake prescribing and referral practice only.

In addition to this information, your practice may require an endorsement which includes undertaking:

• minor cosmetics,
• spinal surgery if you are an orthopaedic surgeon,
• bariatric surgery if you are a general surgeon,
• specified procedures if you are a dentist.

How will these changes affect pre 1 July 2015 categories?

• Categories such as Employer indemnified no private practice and Employer indemnified with private billing less than $40,000 no longer exist. Instead, a practice basis will apply to the field of practice, eg
  • Category: GP Procedural Practice basis: Employer Indemnified, or
  • Category:  GP Procedural Practice basis: Gross Private Billings/Salary - Less than $40k

• When you cease practice your category will remain with ‘Non practicing’ and the applicable runoff cover basis will apply such as ROCS maternity, ERP loyalty etc.
• Doctor in training and GP registrar categories are no longer available as separate categories. If you have commenced an accredited training program the ‘Registrar’ basis will apply to the category that reflects the specialty under which you are training. If you have not commenced a registrar training program and you do not hold any specialist registration your category will be ‘Medical Officer’.
• The classification ‘Recent Graduate’ may apply for up to five years from the date you graduated unless you have commenced an accredited registrar or dental specialist training program.
• Dental membership categories have been expanded and are aligned with AHPRA registration details, for example Dental hygienist and Dental therapist are now considered separate categories and there are specific dental specialties such as Endodontics, Orthodontics and Paediatric dentistry that have been added.

Below are a number of examples of how members transition to the new categories effective 1 July 2015. MIPS has assessed current membership and AHPRA registration details and used that to transition members to the most appropriate category and basis.

Please refer to your Member Benefit Statement and review your membership category, basis, billings/salary band (if applicable), endorsements and practice location to ensure they accurately reflect the healthcare services you provide. Contact MIPS if you require an amendment to your membership details.

Please contact member services on 1800 061 113 if you have any further queries.

Share this on:

MIPS Matters Winter 2015 contents