Medicubes

From Excel Nightmares to Automated Success: The Power of Cubiko Calculate

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 [https://www.cubiko.com.au/resources/the-4-checks-every-fee-run-should-include/?utm_source=medicubes&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=medicubes-calculate] Learn more about Cubiko Calculate or book a demo [https://www.cubiko.com.au/demo/?utm_source=medicubes&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=medicubes-calculate] 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

Nurse-Led Services: Focusing Nurse Strengths for Better Patient Outcomes

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

Privacy Law Reforms: Protecting Patients and Practices with Sarah Bartholomeusz

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/ [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.

Reinventing Patient Experience: Inside HealthEngine’s Growth with Dan Stinton

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/ [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.

Preparing Your Team for Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program Changes

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/ [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.