Need Advice/Comfort
Hey everyone,
I'm just looking for a bit of support and guidance, I suppose for this very big issue that's been happening.
For context, I used to see a mental health clinician towards the end of 2021 to get support. However, I stopped seeing her after 4 sessions because I found she was not helping me and made me feel worse. I have not seen her since.
Fast forward to June 2024, where I was checking my Medicare claims and saw that this mental health clinician had put claims down, even though I have not seen her for years. I did call Medicare but they told me I needed to contact where she worked, so I contacted that clinic, spoke with the manager and apparently she stopped working there a few months ago, and that she did her own bulk billing. I did end up submitting a report to the Department of Health and Aged Care. This mental health clinician is still making claims, even though I have not seen her and live in a completely different state to her. I felt quite angry, upset and distressed this morning seeing that she made another claim two days ago.
I just wanted to find out what I should do, do I escalate things? Should I contact her new practice about this? I feel really upset and confused because you don't really hear fraud cases like this all too often. Advice or words of support would be really appreciated right now.
Thank you for reading.
- Matcha_Toad 🐸🍵💚
Comments
Hey @Matcha_Toad
I'm so sorry this happened to you, how frustrating!!
This is totally unethical of this mental health clinican.
I'm so proud of you for advocating for yourself and following this up! Especially for first contacting Medicare, I know how long you can be on hold for
My first thought was @Astra-RO advice - I would definitely be contacting AHPRA and make a report.
How are you feeling about it all now?
I hope you've had a good weekend and taken care of yourself 💖
Hey @Matcha_Toad
How frustrating. I’m sorry this is happening to you. It’s really strange that she put claims in when you have not seen her for years. Well done on contacting the people you needed to contact. Phone calls can to government organisations can be highly irritating. It’s completely understandable to be angry and upset about this. It could be useful to reach out to the new practice especially considering it’s still happening. I hope it all gets resolved soon. Please look after yourself!
Hi @Matcha_Toad 💚
Firstly, I just want to say how sorry I am that you are going through this! It is so unfair and a very unique and tricky situation. I can’t give too much advice due to never being in this situation, but I think you have every right to keep contacting and fight for yourself!! Astra-RO has given some great advice.
I imagine it would be taking a real toll on your emotional and mental health right now, so I’d like to stress the importance of taking care of yourself. Be gentle with yourself, this is definitely not your fault or something you could control. I think you deserve to do something extra special for yourself during this time 💖
I am wishing you the best of luck to get this all sorted out sooner rather than later. Sending love and strength 🫶🏻
Hey @Matcha_Toad , thanks for sharing what's been happening— it all sounds so stressful. I'm really sorry to hear your previous clinician keeps putting through these false Medicare claims in your name like this, that's not okay. It can be so upsetting when a person from a trusted profession acts in this way.
You have shown so much strength in reaching out to the clinic and the Department of Health and Aged Care already. Having to be your own advocate and protector against something like this, that is not your fault at all, sounds really exhausting and distressing. You have every right to be angry and upset and I'm sorry it keeps happening.
It could definitely be helpful to reach out to this clinician's new practice, but only if you are feeling safe and comfortable to do so. It could help provide some understanding into what is going on. Otherwise, you could try contacting the Department of Health and Aged Care (maybe even giving them a ring (1800 314 808)? You can also report a practitioner through AHPRA
Do you have anyone supporting you through this difficult time? I'm also wondering how you're looking after yourself through this?
