AACMA Newsletter - 14 June 2024
14 June 2024
This Issue:
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Latest letter from Mark Butler Federal Health Minister re Lobbying for Medicare
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Forum on Business & Patient Management Issues in Two Weeks on June 26TH!
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Look no further, invest in yourself and your practice at AACMAC 2024 this August!
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Cyber Wardens: Be prepared this EOFY
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A call to AACMA members and their patients to consider participation in this research project
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Moving or Adding a New Clinic?
Latest letter from Mark Butler Federal Health Minister re Lobbying for Medicare
Ms Waveny Holland
President
Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association
Dear Ms Holland
Thank you for your correspondence of 19 May 2024 to the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler MP regarding the inclusion of Traditional Chinese Medicine services under Medicare. The Minister has asked me to reply.
As a rule, complementary therapy treatments, including acupuncture, are outside the existing scope of the Medicare system. The only exception to this is the five current Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) acupuncture-related services provided by medical practitioners and General Practitioners, who are qualified medical acupuncturists.
You may be interested to know that the MBS Continuous Review was established in 2021 and is a program assurance mechanism that ensures the MBS supports high-quality, equity of access and reflects contemporary practice and emerging evidence. The MBS Continuous Review involves reviews of existing MBS items and consideration of new services that do not require a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) via the Medicare Services Advisory Committee (MSAC). Government consideration of changes to MBS items involves consideration of the most suitable pathway of assessment, whether that be via MSAC for new MBS items that require a HTA assessment or the MBS Continuous Review.
Additional information on the MBS Continuous Review and MSAC can be found on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Thank you for writing on this matter.
Yours sincerely
Louise Riley
Acting First Assistant Secretary
Medicare Benefits Division
11 June 2024
Forum on Business & Patient Management Issues in Two Weeks on June 26TH!
The past three seminars in our "Practical Essentials" webinar series have considered setting up a business, how to comply with some key policies, and some tips on patient management to foster a successful clinic.
Now it's your chance to ask the panel questions regarding the business and patient management side of running a clinic.
You are also invited to share with the group your experiences of what works for you, and perhaps also what you found hasn't worked!
Topic: Forum on Business and Patient Management Issues
Date and Time: 7:00-8:30pm (AEST), Wednesday 26 June 2024
Panellists: Stephen Janz, Angus Timms, Chantelle Muellner
CPD: 1.5 points (professional issues)
Ticket: AACMA Members $25, AACMA Student Members FREE, Non Member $50
AACMA Life member Stephen Janz will be joined on the panel by Angus Timms and Chantelle Muellner, fellow AACMA members. Angus & Chantelle graduated in 2015. Since then, they have purchased an established clinic, rebranded it and expanded to 2 locations on the northern NSW coast. They lead a team of 20 including acupuncturists, osteopaths, psychologists and support staff.
Angus and Chantelle are happy to share their stories of commercial fit outs/ leases, staff management, juggling parenthood and practice, marketing strategies and how they liaise with GP's to get referrals.
The panel invites questions in advance of the event to help them prepare and address as many issues as possible on the day -
Submit a question in advance >> Submit Questions to events@acupuncture.org.au.
Share a perspective with the group >> Submit Name and topic to events@acupuncture.org.au so we can schedule you into the programme.
Save the date and see you in two weeks!
WHY NOT LEARN MORE AND SAVE MORE?
Every seminar in the ‘Practice Essentials’ series has vitally important information and tips for a healthy practice. Therefore, we offer a Bundle Deal for all 4 webinars in the series.
Bundle price: AACMA Member $85, Student Member FREE, Non Member $170
CPD: 4.5 professional issues points in total
Recording: Anyone who purchases the series bundle - All past seminar/s in the series will be shared with you in the recording format. You are not missing out!
- Seminar 1 'Starting a Business' – 7-8pm (AEST), Wednesday 3 April 2024 (Completed)
- Seminar 2 'Keeping out of Trouble: Complying with Policies' - 7-8pm (AEST), Wednesday 24 April 2024 (Completed)
- Seminar 3 'Tips for Patient Management' - 7-8pm (AEST), Wednesday 5 June 2024 (Completed)
- Seminar 4 'Forum on Business and Patient Management Issues' – 7:00-8:30pm (AEST), Wednesday 26 June 2024
Look no further, invest in yourself and your practice at AACMAC 2024 this August!
Got your eye on at AACMAC 2024?
Now’s your chance to invest in yourself for your practice and patients.
From a thought-provoking seminar you’ve been wanting, to a workshop of techniques we could use immediately in clinic, a conference dinner to unwind your night, or the trade exhibits of the newest books, herbs, clinic tools, and equipment, you can find them all at AACMAC 2024.
Discover a variety of our ticket options, from the whole-program to 1 day or 2 days, in person or online.
Book your ticket with great value of money - but hurry, conference registration will be closing less than two months.
Top 10 Reasons to Attend AACMAC 2024:
- Learn from Experts: Gain insights from 21 renowned experts covering a wide range of clinically-relevant topics to enhance your practice and patient care.
- Exceed CPD Goals: Easily surpass your annual CPD requirements with up to 40 CPD points of live and recorded content available over three days.
- Latest Tools and Resources: Explore trade exhibits showcasing the newest books, herbs, clinic tools, and equipment.
- Global Networking: Connect with peers and industry leaders from around the world.
- Celebratory Dinner: Party with you peers at AACMAC in Brisbane! Enjoy the Hall of Fame Awards with a three-course dinner, drinks, live music and dance floor.
- Special Hotel Discounts: Benefit from exclusive AACMAC rates at the Pullman & Mercure Brisbane King George Square.
- Flexible Attendance Options: Attend in-person or virtually with live streaming options.
- Extended Access: Get three months post-conference access to all session recordings. Take control of your learning at your own pace.
- Educational Materials: Access downloadable slides, notes, and handouts from the speakers.
- Hybrid Event: Experience the flexibility of a hybrid format, allowing you to learn and interact in the way that suits you best.
Discover your AACMAC 2024 ticket today and register now!
Find out more of the full program and our speaker line-up using the buttons below.
If you need accommodation for attending AACMAC 2024, please click here to make online booking to discounted accommodation for AACMAC 2024 delegates.
To make a booking over the phone with Pullman & Mercure King George Square, please ring +61 (07) 3222 1177 and quote “Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine”.
For more information on AACMAC 2024, please visit www.aacmac.org.au or email events@acupuncture.org.au.
Cyber Wardens: Be Prepared this EOFY
During EOFY and tax season, cyber criminals capitalise on how busy small businesses and suppliers are by increasing attacks.
As well as trying to hack systems to access sensitive financial information, they impersonate the Australian Tax Office (ATO), financial institutions and the MyGov website to scam data and access accounts.
To help you and your staff prepare for the increasing threats, we have developed the small business Cyber Security Guide for EOFY. The Guide is a quick reference tool that covers:
1. Practical tips to combat 6 types of scams
2. Watching out for ATO & myGov scams
3. Sharing financial information safely with eInvoicing
4. Working with your accountant and bookkeeper
5. A cyber security checklist, and more.
AACMA is excited to partner with Cyber Wardens, a free online learning program designed to simplify cyber security for your small business.
Funded by the Australian government, the program is self-paced and quick to complete. It only takes 2 minutes to enrol and start your journey towards safeguarding your small business against scams and cyber threats.
What’s more, when you complete the quick and free Cyber Wardens course by 30 June 2024, you automatically go in the draw to win a $1,000 e-gift card*
A call to AACMA members and their patients to consider participation in this research project
RESEARCH - Natural therapies for mental wellbeing study seeks participants
My name is Kim McNaughton and I am a PhD candidate from the University of Newcastle who is conducting a research project under the supervision of Associate Professors Caragh Brosnan, Julia Coffey and Professor Kerry Inder from the School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences.
My research will examine Traditional, Complementary and/or Alternative Medicine as a means of supporting mental or psychological wellbeing. Some people may refer to these healthcare forms as natural, holistic or traditional healthcare. Some examples include acupuncture, naturopathy, yoga, dance therapy, Reiki, and Kinesiology, to name a few.
What we know so far
Australia has one of the highest usage rates of these healthcare options among advanced nations. Studies have found that 63 percent of Australians use some form of Traditional, Complementary and/or Alternative Medicine, with an estimated 19,000 practitioners in this field. Research also indicates that some people use these healthcare options to manage mental health conditions, emotions, and general wellbeing. The use and practice of Traditional, Complementary and/or Alternative Medicine to support mental or psychological wellbeing is a potentially widespread phenomenon about which little is currently known. This research project aims to address this knowledge gap.
The research participants I am seeking are people who:
- Use forms of Traditional, Complementary and/or Alternative Medicine to support their own mental wellbeing AND/OR
- Practice forms of Traditional, Complementary and/or Alternative Medicine to support clients’ mental wellbeing
Participants would be people who live in Australia, are 18 years of age or over, proficient in English, and have access to the internet or smart technology.
What would participants be expected to do?
The research activity concerns an anonymous online survey. Participants will be asked to respond to questions about their motivations, perceptions, and experiences regarding their use or practice of Traditional, Complementary and/or Alternative Medicine to support mental wellbeing.
Direct weblinks to the online surveys can be found here:
- Practitioner Survey: https://uninewcastle.questionpro.com.au/Practitioner-Survey
- User Survey: https://uninewcastle.questionpro.com.au/User-Survey
Kim McNaughton | PhD Candidate
M Stud (TD) | Grad Dip Psych | B SocSci (Psych) School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences College of Human and Social Futures
Moving or Adding a New Clinic?
Please contact our membership team with your new clinic details by email at aacma@acupuncture.org.au so they can apply to the health funds for new provider numbers.
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Medibank only update: deadline Sunday 9 June 2024
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June monthly updates: deadline Thursday 20 June 2024
Ceased practicing at a clinic, please provide the address and the ceased date so we can advise the health funds to remove your details.
To check your workplace details or membership go to our website https://www.acupuncture.org.au/ then
- Go to ‘Login’ at the top right-hand corner then
- Click ‘Member Login’ to log into the website your Username is your email address on AACMA’s record and the password you created.
- For the first time login, please click the ‘Forgotten Password’ button to set up a password.
If you have issues logging in or setting up a password, please don’t hesitate to contact the membership team 07 3457 1800 we are happy to assist you.
