Civil penalties for falsely claiming participation in incentive payment programs

Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026

1st House

2nd House

Law

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

People face a civil penalty of 50 penalty units for falsely claiming they participate in an incentive payment program.
The Secretary or Chief Executive Medicare can ban eligible providers; they must let the provider make submissions first.
The Secretary or Chief Executive Medicare can approve or revoke a provider's participation in an incentive payment program.
Eligible providers can apply for program approval; the Secretary or Chief Executive Medicare can also grant approval automatically.
The Secretary or Chief Executive Medicare must give written reasons when reconsidering a decision.
Certain professional services are exempt from specific program restrictions.
Incentive payment program rules cannot create new criminal offences; they cannot impose taxes or allow arrests.

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