ACCC finally sees the light on doctors cooperating to provide medical services

In granting an authorisation to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the ACCC has confirmed that GPs in partnerships can agree on fees ? a practice considered routine in medical practice, but a recent revelation to the ACCC.

"At last the ACCC has acknowledged that independent doctors working together to provide medical services to the community must be able to discuss their fees," Dr Phelps said.

"It was farcical to think otherwise, but their change of mind is sensible and welcome.

"But the question remains: why is the ACCC still pursuing doctors who establish rosters? It is exactly the same principle.

"Doctors need to be able to inform patients what they will be charged by each doctor, whether it involves a four-GP associate practice or a group of obstetricians working a roster to provide weekend and after hours services for their patients.

"What the ACCC has done with this authorisation, however, is burden GPs in associateships with more red tape.

"To satisfy the ACCC, GPs in associateships must now:

• Provide an assessment of the associateship as to whether it is "accreditable"

• Keep a record of when they agreed on the arrangements and what was agreed

• Each member of the associateship to record what they charged for a standard consultation (or whether they bulk billed) prior to the agreement

• Each member of the associateship to record what they charge for standard consultation after the agreement

• Each member of the associateship to make that record available to the ACCC should the ACCC seek access to such records.

"Nevertheless, it is pleasing to see the ACCC publicly admit to the error of its ways in applying the Trade Practices Act where it doesn?t belong.

"We look forward to the further getting of wisdom about medical practice by the ACCC over the holiday break," Dr Phelps said.

CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761