Location Specific Practice Number (LSPN) - information for health professionals
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Practice registration is an initiative of the Department of Health and Ageing in consultation with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR), the Australian Diagnostic Imaging Association (ADIA), the Australian and New Zealand Association of Physicians in Nuclear Medicine (ANZAPNM) and Medicare Australia.
Where a practice site provides diagnostic imaging or radiation oncology services, Health Insurance Amendment (Diagnostic Imaging, Radiation Oncology and Other Measures) Act 2003 requires these sites to be registered with Medicare Australia in order for Medicare benefits to be payable. Registered sites and bases for mobile equipment are allocated a Location Specific Practice Number (LSPN). The LSPN is a unique identifier which is required to be submitted as part of each Medicare claim for diagnostic imaging or radiation oncology services.
The LSPN recorded on the claim must be current on the date of service (ie the registration must be active, not suspended or cancelled). In addition, Medicare benefits are only payable where there is equipment recorded for the site appropriate to the item claimed.
To maintain registration, practice sites are required to advise Medicare Australia about any changes to the site’s primary information within 28 days of the change occurring. Every 12 months Medicare Australia will write to practice sites and ask them to update their registration details. If a site fails to comply with this request their registration may be suspended for up to three months. Registration will be cancelled by Medicare Australia after a continuous period of three months suspension.
To apply for practice registration you must complete an LSPN Registration form.
Send your new registration form to:
Medicare Australia
PO Box 1001
Tuggeranong ACT 2901
Attn: Accreditation Section
Or fax your completed registration form to Medicare Australia on: (02) 6124 6219
Completed LSPN declaration and Update details form should be mailed to the relevant state office, at the address below:
VIC
Provider Liaison
GPO 9822
Melbourne 3001
NSW
Provider Liaison
GPO Box 9822
Sydney 2001
QLD
Provider Liaison
GPO Box 9822
Brisbane 4001
NT
Provider Liaison
GPO Box 9822
Darwin 801
SA
Provider Liaison
GPO Box 9822
Adelaide 5001
TAS
Provider Liaison
GPO Box 9822
Hobart 7001
WA
Provider Liaison
GPO Box 9822
Perth 6848
On receipt of a complete and accurate registration form, Medicare Australia will allocate an LSPN to the practice site and advise the site of their registration number in writing.
From 1 July 2003 the LSPN is required on all diagnostic imaging and radiation oncology patient accounts, receipts or bulk billing claims submitted to Medicare Australia for a Medicare benefit to be paid. Please note that the LSPN used for this purpose should relate to the registered practice site where the diagnostic imaging procedure or radiation oncology service is performed.
To update your equipment, as well as nominating a new authorised representative or amending business details or practice details please download the LSPN declaration and update details form.
Search LSPN Register
The LSPN Register lists registered practice sites and mobile facilities. This registration data is updated regularly to assist doctors in identifying registered practices eligible for Medicare benefits.
LSPN forms
Contact us
If you need assistance or require a registration form contact Medicare Australia on 1800 620 589 toll free Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm AEST or email lspn@medicareaustralia.gov.au
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Last updated: 6 August, 2009