Scaling for overseas trained doctors
Overseas trained doctors (OTDs) and foreign graduates of an accredited medical school (FGAMS) working in private practice in Australia are generally subject to the Medicare provider number restrictions contained under section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act).
Section 19AB restricts access to Medicare provider numbers, and requires OTDs and FGAMS to work in designated districts of workforce shortage (DWS) in order to access Medicare benefits.
Scaling is a non-cash incentive offering OTDs and FGAMS opportunities to reduce the 10 year moratorium restriction period. Time reductions are significantly greater for doctors who choose to work in more remote areas. (See the Australian Standard Geographical Classification – Remoteness Areas (ASGC-RA) table below.)
| ASGC-RA Classification | ASGC-RA 1 Major Cities | ASGC-RA 2 Inner Regional | ASGC-RA 3 Outer Regional | ASGC-RA 4 Remote | ASGC-RA 5 Very Remote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period of restriction | 10 years | 9 years | 7 years | 6 years | 5 years |