Medicubes

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim discuss the release of the RACGP 6th Edition Standards for General Practices and what they mean for practice managers and primary care teams. Providing an initial overview of key changes, structural updates, and new requirements introduced by the updated accreditation standards.

Key Points:

• New Structure: The 6th Edition features four core standards; Foundations, Clinical Governance, Patient Participation, and Continuous Quality Improvement, replacing the previous multi-module approach.
• Optional Module: Introduction of an optional module for point-of-care testing, only for practices offering those services.
• Consumer Focus: Each standard now links requirements to “consumer expectation statements”, reframing the standards through the patient perspective.
• Increased Requirements: Practices must now show evidence of strategic business planning, with defined mission, vision, and values.
• Sustainability: Environmental sustainability and climate impact are new areas of focus.
• Team and Wellbeing: New standards set expectations for team culture, psychological safety, and staff retention measures.
• Information Management: Stronger controls on information security are required; digital records are now mandatory.
• Quality Improvement: Emphasis on the use of coded clinical data for continuous quality improvement, and increased rigour in reporting outcomes.
• Patient Feedback: The introduction of consumer engagement tools such as PREMs and PROMs.
• Practical Steps: Advises listeners to breaking changes into manageable tasks, starting with policy version control and making use of available accreditation resources.

Medicubes is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Kim, Chris, and Riwka are joined by Denise Lyons, President of the Australian Primary Nurse Association, to discuss the introduction of the Designated Registered Nurse Prescribing model in Australia.

Covering the evolution of the nurse prescribing initiative, pathways to endorsement, and what the change means for general practices, particularly in primary care and rural settings.

Key Points:

• Registered Nurse Prescribing Model: The designated RN prescribing model allows endorsed registered nurses to prescribe certain medications in partnership with authorised health practitioners. This is a significant development for the nursing profession and for access to care in Australia.
• Endorsement Requirements: Nurses need at least 5,000 clinical hours, postgraduate study, and must work under a clinical governance and prescribing partnership agreement. Several endorsed pathways exist, including recognition of overseas credentials.
• Scope and Clinical Governance: This is not an autonomous role-prescribing is collaborative, supported by agreements and compliance with both national and state regulation. The RN prescriber is professionally responsible for their own prescribing, within robust governance frameworks.
• Implementation: The rollout is at different stages in each state and territory; practice managers need to refer to their local requirements. A national implementation website is planned to streamline access to guidance and resources.
• Funding: There are currently no new Medicare item numbers linked to nurse prescribing, but professional bodies are advocating for funding reform to support the expanded role.

Practice managers are encouraged to stay updated, consult the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia for resources, and ensure local compliance before implementing nurse prescribing in their practices.

Links & Resources:

NMBA/Ahpra

• Designated RN prescribing enquiries: [email protected]
• Registration standard: Endorsement for scheduled medicines – designated registered nurse prescriber
• Guidelines for registered nurses applying for and with the endorsement for scheduled medicines – designated registered nurse prescriber
• Fact Sheet – Registration standard: Endorsement for scheduled medicines – designated registered nurse prescriber
• Latest list of approved programs of study for designated RN prescribing
• DoHDA - Registered Nurse Prescribing https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/designated-registered-nurse-prescribing
• APNA International Festival of Nursing 2027 - https://www.festivalofnursing.com/
• How to Prepare to be a Designated RN prescriber
• https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/designated-registered-nurse-prescribing/how-to-prepare-to-be-a-designated-rn-prescriber

Medicubes is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim return for season three, providing an update on important developments for Australian Practice Managers in primary care.

They reviewed the latest changes to assignment of benefit procedures, advising practices to adopt clear workflows, continue active documentation of patient consent, and access up-to-date, official resources to remain compliant. Addressing misconceptions about current requirements and the importance of adapting processes without relying on outdated information.

The conversation covers several additional practice management priorities including:

• New award rate increases and the need to review both pay rates and staff classifications,
• Changes to payday superannuation requiring employers to submit super payments in line with payroll,
• New governance and policy obligations for practices aligned with MyMedicare, particularly focusing on privacy and documentation,
• Highlights from Kim and Riwka’s published work on nurse-led services, demonstrating the benefits of structured quality improvement.

Links & Resources:

• Policies, procedures and checklists in relation to new My Health Record requirements from 1 October 2026 - My Health Record Templates

Medicubes is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris, Kim, and Riwka are joined by Jess White (Chief Technology Officer at Best Practice) and Bec Bland (Assistant Director of Partnerships, Commercial at Best Practice) to discuss the upcoming changes to the Medicare Assignment of Benefit (AOB) process.

Providing a clear overview of what Medicare AOB is, why these legislative changes are being implemented, and how they will affect general practices.

Key Points:

• Changes to Responsibility: From 1 July, practices must securely retain evidence of patient consent for bulk billed Medicare services (AOB), making consent tracking an auditable requirement.
• Moving to Digital: Electronic and pre-assignment processes are now permitted, allowing practices to capture and store consent digitally, replacing previous rigid paper forms.
• Service Buckets: Pre-consent is tied to “basic service description” buckets (groupings of Medicare items). Only one bucket can be selected per assignment. If the billing item changes, a new assignment of benefit is required.
• Practical Impact: Practices will need to update workflows, train clinicians to finalise billing at the time of service, and set up clear patient communication, especially about responding to electronic consent requests.
• Exception Handling: Software features will help identify and manage cases where new AOBs are needed, but unreturned patient consent may delay processing and affect payment timelines.
• Recommendations: Practices can start with paper forms if needed and phase in digital solutions, focusing first on ensuring team and patient understanding and robust exception processes.

Recent changes:

• From July 1, verbal consent will be available in all settings for 12 months.
• Enduring assignment of benefit will be an option for all MyMedicare registered patients, residents of aged care facilities and patients attending Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) from 1 July 2026 – brought forward from April 2027.
• Patients attending ACCHOs will be able to have enduring assignment at multiple sites.
• Providers and software vendors that have already prepared or are preparing for the new arrangements, including through digital solutions, should continue that work.
• Compliance will not commence until regulatory changes are complete and will begin with prevention and education.
• There will be a 12-month transition period, during which there is a commitment to work with the profession on the changed approach and explore other options to further reduce the administrative burden on both GP practices and patients while ensuring the integrity of Medicare is maintained.

Links & Resources:

• https://bestpracticesoftware.com/blog/modernising-the-assignment-of-benefit-process/
• https://try.hotdoc.com.au/aob-changes-2026
• https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/improving-the-assignment-of-benefit-process?language=en
• https://www.cubiko.com.au/resources/preparing-your-practice-for-the-new-assignment-of-benefit-changes/
• https://www.racgp.org.au/advocacy/advocacy-resources/assignment-of-benefit-and-signature-requirements?fbclid=IwY2xjawSgPl9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFvNzRiU3IwWnQ4Ym50Qncxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmigQFWPBc2MrnXMi0XMdG4d_H1EGVPjav6rwvh3CglzMhcxPW1Tpxlpoy04_aem_nxOqB8--oSozjRj0i87ptA

Learn more about Cubiko Calculate or book a demo with the Cubiko team

Medicubes is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Riwka and Kim are joined by Nick Adams, Chief Operating Officer, and Sean Fincham, Chief Financial Officer at Cubiko, to discuss Cubiko Calculate, a solution designed to streamline the calculation and distribution of service fees between practices and practitioners in general practice settings.

They explore how Cubiko Calculate addresses common challenges in service fee administration, including the reliance on complex, error-prone spreadsheets and manual processes.

Key Points:

1. Background: Cubiko Calculate is developed in response to feedback from over 2,500 practices using Cubiko Insights, identifying the need for efficient and accurate doctor fee run calculations.
2. Automation and Accuracy: Calculate automates service fee distribution, reducing errors and administrative time while increasing transparency.
3. Fee Rule Engine: The system allows configuration of differentiated service fees by item type, session time, date range, and other parameters, supporting fairer and more precise practitioner arrangements.
4. Integration Features: Connection with Best Practice enables automatic data pull, and seamless integration with Xero allows for quick and accurate reconciliation with financial records.
5. Fraud Detection and Controls: Automated and structured processes help uncover long-standing errors or misallocations, supporting better financial oversight.
6. Responding to Change: The Cubiko team discusses adaptability to future changes such as bundled payment models or new incentive schemes in general practice remuneration.
7. Implementation and Support: Onboarding practices are provided with tailored support to match service fee calculations with underlying practitioner agreements, ensuring the system aligns with contractual intentions.

Download Cubiko Calculate’s resource, The 4 checks every fee run should include

Learn more about Cubiko Calculate or book a demo with the Cubiko team

Medicubes is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network

First episode back for 2026!

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Kim and Riwka speak with Alison Miller, Practice Manager of McKid Medical, about strategies to optimise the nursing workforce and expand nurse-led services in primary care. Discussing practical innovations and lessons learned from implementing nurse-driven care models across multiple clinic sites.

Key Points:

1. Nurse Specialisation: Nurses are assigned to areas aligned with their interests and expertise, such as menopause, weight management, and physical health, enhancing job satisfaction and patient care.
2. Care Planning Technology: Adoption of AI tools (Lyrebird) has streamlined care planning and improved workflow, allowing nurses to take a more active role in assessments and care coordination.
3. Room Structure: Clinic rooms are organised by specific health checks and item numbers, making use of visual cues and branding to clarify service offerings and support targeted patient engagement.
4. Patient Engagement: Focused messaging (“This is how we can help you”) and personalised outreach have led to improved uptake of health assessments and nurse consultations.
5. Continuous Improvement: Weekly feedback and screening programmes have enabled early diagnoses and improved team collaboration.

Encouraging practice managers to tailor nurse-led services to their community’s needs and leverage resources such as the “Transforming Clinical Series” webinars developed with Healthy North Coast.

Registration and resources:

1. https://www.primarycareinnovation.com.au/transforming-clinical-care

Medicubes is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris and Kim are joined by Sarah Bartholomeusz, founder and principal of You Legal, to discuss current privacy reforms and their impact on primary care practices in Australia.

Providing a clear overview of the recent changes to the Privacy Act, including the introduction of the Privacy Legislation Other Amendment Act (Polar), and why it is important for practices to update their policies and systems. 

Key Topics:

• New Privacy Reforms: Sarah explains the overhaul of the Privacy Act and the need for practices to modernise their privacy policies to address issues arising from cloud storage, artificial intelligence, and digital health records.
• Accountability and Compliance: Placing greater emphasis on the responsibility of practices to safeguard patient information, including stricter requirements on their data protection policies.
• Data Breaches and Consequences: Recent high-profile data breaches highlight that organisations, rather than individuals, are now held accountable. Practices risk significant reputational damage and fines of up to $50 million for serious contraventions.
• Practical Steps for Practice Managers: Which includes reviewing and updating privacy policies, ensuring team training and awareness, and auditing systems and security measures.
• Training and Leadership: Sarah emphasises the importance of ongoing staff education and a shared organisational approach to privacy compliance. Examples illustrate how human error in handling patient information can have serious consequences.
• Insurance Considerations:  Discussing the importance of cyber insurance and regularly reviewing policy requirements, such as two-factor authentication, to ensure coverage.
• Civil Penalties: Under the new legislation, individuals can now take civil action against practices for privacy breaches, expanding the potential liability for business owners.

Links & Resources: 

• You Legal webinar on Privacy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W55xlxEzwSE
• You Legal most recent Privacy article: https://youlegal.com.au/you-legal-blogs/privacy-law-changes-medical-practices-australia
• Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC): https://www.oaic.gov.au/
• Hacking Health podcast: 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq9d4AWPjD8
• https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-4-providing-actionable-insights-and-staying/id1713458574?i=1000632513496

Medicubes is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris and Riwka speak with Dan Stinton, CEO and Managing Director of HealthEngine, about recent developments in Australia’s largest healthcare provider marketplace and the evolving landscape of digital health technology for medical practices.

Key Points:

• Health Engine’s Expansion: Now servicing general practice, dental, allied specialists, and pharmacy, with more than 10,000 practices and 40,000 practitioners listed on the platform.
• Patient Engagement Technology: Investment in non-clinical SAS tools to support efficient front-office operations, including online bookings, automated recalls, payments, and custom forms.
• AI Receptionist (‘Helen’): Automates 50-65% of inbound calls in practices, currently supports booking management, with future plans for recalls and reminders via voice.
• Practice Adoption Challenges: Practices tend to adopt 10% of available functionality, highlighting the need for continued education and support for technology use.
• Data Security & Compliance: Health Engine upholds strong governance standards, with comprehensive legal and privacy audits for every product release.
• Australian Healthcare Index Insights: 74% of patients report cost-of-living pressures are impacting their healthcare decisions, with bulk billing access cited as a major concern.
• Preparing for New Booking Channels: Practices should be mindful of the growing influence of large language models and personal assistants in patient engagement.

Links & Resources: 

• HealthEngine: https://healthengine.com.au/

Medicubes is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris and Riwka are joined by Louise Riley, Bianca McCulloch, Jacob Grooby, and Alexis Mohay from the Department of Health and Aged Care to discuss the latest changes to bulk billing and the launch of the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP).

The panel addresses common questions from registered practices, clarifying the practical and administrative impacts of the new incentive arrangements. Recorded live from a FAQ webinar session focused on supporting practice managers, owners, and clinical teams in understanding the changes necessary for successful implementation.

Key Points:

• Two Key Bulk Billing Changes: Explaining the distinction between the expanded bulk billing incentives (with increased eligibility for patients) and the new Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP), which provides an additional 12.5% incentive payment for eligible practices.
• Eligibility and Registration: Practices can choose to participate in the BBPIP or continue with current billing arrangements. Registration for BBPIP is available via the MyMedicare portal from 1 November, with flexibility to join or withdraw later.
• Bulk Billing Item Requirements: Participating practices must bulk bill all General Practitioner Non-Referred Attendance (GP NRA) services for eligible patients. Procedures and other service types are exempt. Non-BBPIP practices can still claim standard bulk billing incentives as the eligibility criteria have been expanded.
• Triple Incentive Clarification: Not all incentive payments are tripled. Only those items previously eligible for the triple incentive will remain so; other items retain their current rate.
• Practice Management Systems: Software vendors will update items automatically, practices are advised to check for updates and retain concession card information for differential billing on non-bulk billed services.
• Administrative Arrangements and Errors: Minor administrative errors in billing will not result in the loss of the entire quarterly incentive payment. Corrections and adjustments can be made, and a small margin for error is allowed.
• Payments and Indexation: The 12.5% incentive is calculated on eligible GP NRA items and paid quarterly. The amount increases in line with MBS indexation, but the percentage itself remains static.
• Advertising and Signage: Participating practices must clearly advertise their bulk billing status, including updated signage (available to order via the Department’s website) and register details with Healthdirect.
• Non-Medicare Services and Private Billing: Practices may still privately bill for procedures or non-NRA services and set appropriate fees for non-MBS services (e.g. iron infusions).
• Compliance: The importance of using reliable, up-to-date resources and departmental FAQs to support team understanding and avoid misinformation.

Links & Resources:

• Cubiko FAQ webinar session: https://www.cubiko.com.au/resources/bb-incentive-faq/
• Cubiko’s Bulk Billing Incentive Resource Hub and Webinar Recordings: https://www.cubiko.com.au/blog/resource-group/bulk-billing-incentives/
• RACGP Resource Hub https://www.racgp.org.au/advocacy/advocacy-resources/november-changes-to-medicare
• DOHA Resource Hub: http://www.health.gov.au/BBPIP
• The Services Australia Health Professional Education website: https://hpe.servicesaustralia.gov.au/
• Government Resource: GP NRA Items: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/bulk-billing-practice-incentive-program-eligible-services?language=en
• RACGP Bulk Billing Incentive Fact Sheet: https://www.racgp.org.au/FSDEDEV/media/documents/Advocacy/Medicare/Appendix-A-Fact-sheet-Bulk-billing-incentives-since-1-Nov-2023.pdf

Medicubes is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim continue their conversation with Jo Winwood, focusing on social prescribing, aged care, and early intervention in primary care.

Providing a clear explanation of social prescribing, its origins in the UK, and how it relates to the broader concept of holistic, person-centred care. 

Key Points:

• Social Prescribing Defined: Social prescribing involves structured conversations with patients to identify what matters to them, what may be missing from their lives, and addressing social determinants of health as part of a broader care plan.
• Integration into Practice: The growing formalisation of social prescribing in Australian general practice, including references in care planning and including holistic, lifestyle-based factors in templates and patient reviews.
• Person-Centred Approach: Highlighting patient-driven goal setting, with examples showing that patients’ concerns often lie outside of clinical conditions and may relate more to isolation, loneliness, or lack of purpose.
• Practical Examples: Real-world examples of social prescriptions such as community gardening, cooking classes, and activities like Parkrun, which foster social connection and improve wellbeing.
• Self-care for Health Professionals: Encouraging practice staff to reflect on their own social connections and wellbeing, and the value of walking the talk to better understand and promote social prescribing benefits.
• Actionable Advice: Jo suggests individuals and practitioners undertake a personal stocktake to identify what matters most and what may be missing in their own lives, and to use this as a starting point.

Medicubes is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.

Mentioned in this episode:

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