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Dental Practitioners require a Medicare provider number (MPN) to bill, refer, or request services that attract a Medicare benefit. This also includes services under any Commonwealth government program such as the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). A prescriber number is a 7 digit number that uniquely identifies you’re eligible to prescribe medication under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Medicare Provider Number (MPN) – key points

• A unique number which identifies the treating clinician and the practice location.
• A different MPN is required for every location at which you practice.
• This number is not transferable – that is, another dentist cannot use it to submit claims.

Applying for an initial MPN and Prescriber Number

In order to apply online, a dentist needs to:

1. Register for an active Provider Digital Access (PRODA) account.
2. Log into Health Professional Online Services (HPOS), link their Healthcare Provider Identifier – Individual (HPI-I).
3. Apply for an MPN.
4. Apply for a Prescriber Number in Location details.

See below for further detail and the relevant links.

• Services Australia provides the MPNs – go to Apply for initial provider and prescriber numbers – Health professionals – Services Australia
• HPI-I – this is the Healthcare Provider Identifier – Individual. This number identifies you within HPOS.
• HPOS – Health Professional Online Services (accessible via PRODA) https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/link-your-healthcare-identifiers-to-hpos?context=20
• MPN – Once logged into HPOS, you can apply for your initial MPN
• Prescriber number – within the MPN application process, you can simultaneously apply for a prescriber number.
• If you can’t apply online, you can use this form: Application for a Medicare provider number and, or prescriber number for allied health and non-medical health professionals form (HW093) – Services Australia

Applying for additional MPNs

Whenever you are about to commence work at a new location, you need to apply for a new MPN that is specific to that location.

• You may have more than one provider number at a time (e.g. if you work in more than one location).
• Note that a locum needs to obtain a new MPN for every location where they work (even if only for one day).
• Mobile services – if operating mobile dental services, you can apply for a ‘mobile’ provider number using the address of the base location (e.g. where records are stored).
• You should close any MPN if you no longer work at that location (see below for potential issues).

What if I have never applied online before?

You will need to set up a PRODA account and access to HPOS

Issues for dental practitioners

The responsibility for how and when your MPN is used for a Medicare or Private Health Insurance claim rests with you. For this reason, it is important that you have oversight of administration staff who are processing claims using your MPN.

There are significant regulatory risks if your MPN is misused. In the event of an audit by either a Private Health Insurer or Medicare, you will be held responsible for any non-compliance and also for repayment of benefits.

Please contact Advisory Services if you hold concerns that your MPN has been misused.

Ahpra registered allied dental practitioners (Oral Health Therapists, Hygienists, and Dental Therapists)

Note that allied dental practitioners may operate under their own MPN, or under the MPN of the dentist with whom they work (and therefore are under your oversight).

Commonwealth Schemes

An MPN is required to participate in obtaining benefits in various government schemes, such as the CDBS (Child Dental Benefits Schedule).

This information sheet provides a simple summary. More educational resources on the MPN application processes can be found at https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/provider-and-prescriber-numbers?context=20

If you require more information, please do not hesitate to email Advisory Services at advisory@adansw.com.au or call 8436 9944.