If you are a new member or are starting, leaving or changing your practice details, you must inform our team at [email protected]

A reminder to members when registering with HiCaps

Below is the process when registering with HICAPS as a Myotherapist (as with upgrading from Remedial Massage to Myotherapy qualifications):

• HICAPS Registration and approval is conditional on the provision of Medibank Private Provider letter (with Provider number) and evidence of qualifications.
• HiCaps are a requirement to upload a copy of this letter and qualifications on their system.
• In the situation where a Massage Therapist has upgraded qualification to a Myotherapist, HiCaps require a copy of the upgrade letter from Medibank [MA will provide you this letter upon receipt from Medibank] The provider letter that issues a Provider number to this new qualification is required for HiCaps to upload you with your correct qualifications on their system.

Note: When HiCaps update their system (with new provider numbers) a file is generated and sent to all health funds with these new additional provider numbers.

This allows for recognition on the system for the processing of patient private health claims for the participating health funds.

If you are unsure about your status with HiCaps, you can contact them on 1300 650 852

More information about Health Funds and Provider Numbers can be found in our Members Only area here.

Myotherapy Association Australia announces new insurance broker for member coverage

We are pleased to announce that BMS Risk Solutions Pty Ltd (BMS Group) is Myotherapy Association Australia's exclusive insurance broker. BMS has brought a new member centric perspective to the design and delivery of our insurance program that will result in significant immediate and long term benefits.

Myotherapy Association Australia members will benefit from increased value and improved services, along with exclusive access to additional business-related products that can be purchased through BMS.

Myotherapy Association Australia members have access to the following services and programs:

• Increased Practice Risk Resources - BMS will provide evidence-based information, tools and educational seminars and webinars on practice risk, thereby aligning with Myotherapy Association Australia's long-term strategy to use its insurance program to educate and inform the profession on risk management.
• Specialised Legal Services - including a pro bono legal hotline managed by one of Australia's leading independent law firms.
• Future program structures that are built for members by members.

Policy Features [download BMS schedule here]

• $20M Professional Indemnity per Member
• $20M Public & Products Liability per Member
• Run-Off Cover
• Retroactive Cover
• Court Attendance Costs
• Loss of Documents
• Libel, Slander and Defamation Cover

Please ensure you have read the BMS Financial Services Guide (FSG) found here.

If you have any questions, please contact BMS on 1800 931 070 or via [email protected]

Who is BMS?

BMS is the official and exclusive broker for the Myotherapy Association Australia member insurance program.

BMS is a Lloyd's broker and has several global teams, including in Melbourne and Ottawa, dedicated to providing coverage, and value-added services to associations and its members.

The Australian and Canadian operations provide coverage to more than 500,000 healthcare and regulated professionals through 70+ associations across Australia and Canada. This experience gives BMS a unique insight and ability to create and deliver significantly enhanced and continuously evolving member-centric insurance programs. This includes ensuring broad, market-leading coverage, evidence-based risk management and exceptional member service. You can find out more about BMS at https://www.bmsgroup.com/where...

Resources to assist with Notifiable Data Breach Scheme

On February 22nd 2018, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner released a guide titled Data breach preparation and response is a guide to managing data breaches in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act). The guide consolidates information provided in the Data breach notification - A guide to handling personal information security breaches released in 2014, the Guide to developing a data breach response plan released in 2016, and the resources published to assist entities in complying with the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme last year. In addition to outlining the key requirements relating to data breaches in the Privacy Act, including personal information security requirements and the obligations of the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme, the guide covers other key considerations in developing a robust data breach response strategy. This includes key steps to take when a breach occurs, the capabilities of staff, and governance processes.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre have created a number of resources for small businesses. Please have a look at the links below:

• Small business cyber security guide – mitigation strategies to counter most common cyber security threats that target small businesses.
• What executives should know about cyber security - discusses high-level topics that executives should know about cyber security within their organisations.
• Step by Step Guides – easy guides with platform-specific advice and screenshots (things like how to turn on automatic updates, how to back up your files, and how to turn on two-factor authentication on Windows, Mac, various email providers and social media platforms).
  
• Easy Steps guide – one stop shop for all the basic controls.

Myotherapy Association Australia requires all practising members to provide proof of a current working with children (WWC) or working with vulnerable people (WWVP) check Australia.

It is important to ensure that you obtain a WWC or WWVP for each state or territory you conduct your myotherapy practice in and that these are an employee check NOT a volunteer.

You can visit Pre-employment checks to learn more about applying for the relevant check, noting that the occupational category to select for myotherapists is (40) Counselling or other support services for children.

You must also use your own practice name as the business (not Myotherapy Association). Watch this video we've captured for more details about the application process.

* This video demonstrates the application process for Victoria only. Please choose your appropriate state WWC website that can be found via the link above.

For further information or assistance in your application, please contact the Australian Institute of Family -

Phone: +61 3 9214 7888 Freecall from within Australia: 1800 352 275. (edited)

Pre-employment screening: Working With Children Checks and Police Checks

The Myotherapy Association Australia (MA) continuously work towards providing their members with valuable resources and benefits. Please click HERE to view the available discounts offered to our members.

MA Myotherapists have a duty of care to clients and compliance with the MA Code of Practice and Rules of the Association ensure membership currency, accreditation and professionalism. MA Members are expected to have read and abide by the MA Code of Practice

Myotherapy services are covered under 'remedial massage therapy' as a recognised service within the NSW, ACT, Victorian and South Australian Workers’ compensation systems. For information on how to provide services within these systems, please refer to your relevant jurisdiction below.

NSW

The State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) administers workers’ compensation and motor accident insurance schemes in NSW under the Workers Compensation Act 1987.

The guidelines for claiming workers compensation provide information on how the claims process works, and what type of payments and expenses may be available.

For the purpose of becoming a registered service provider, members must submit an AHRR when seeking pre-approval for treatment services.

For more information on working as a myotherapist within the NSW compensation system, please visit the SIRA website.

ACT

Comcare administers workers’ compensation in the ACT under The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRC Act). Comcare has set payment amounts for all medical expenses, including massage, based on fees recommended by various professional associations and other Australian workers’ compensation jurisdictions.

More information can be found at the Comcare website.

Victoria

WorkSafe administers workers’ compensation in Victoria under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013. WorkSafe considers remedial massage services to be a requested service. A worker can access requested services with a written request from their medical practitioner. For WorkSafe to consider payment of the reasonable costs of remedial massage services the medical practitioner request must be provided to the agent in writing by the worker or healthcare provider. The medical practitioner should supervise and monitor the injured worker’s treatment to ensure it is assisting in the worker’s recovery and return to work.

For more information, please visit the WorkSafe website.

South Australia

Return to Work SA administers workers’ compensation under the Return to Work Act 2014.

Remedial massage services require a current written referral from a health practitioner for a maximum of 10 sessions. A referral must include:

• how the service is intended to increase and maintain the worker’s functional ability
• specific body area to be treated (relevant to the work injury described on the Work Capacity Certificate)
• the number of services to be provided (up to the maximum of 10 services)
• how long the service should be provided
• dates of review.

Where a worker self-refers, the remedial massage provider should contact the relevant case manager for approval prior to delivering the service.

For more information, please download the remedial massage policy and visit Return to WorkSA website.

MA Members receive discounts in First Aid Training with Emergency First Aid, a nationally recognised First Aid provider. Just head to Emergency First Aid at www.emergency.com.au and discount code MYO10 at checkout:

First Aid Refresher HLTAID011 (discounted to $99)
CPR only HLTAID009 (discounted to $60)

Mental Health First Aid Course

Certificates will be emailed after course completion, please upload to your dashboard via MA member login at your earliest convenience.

NOTE CHANGES TO COURSE CODES

Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) is making some updates to First Aid courses in 2021. These changes are being made to ensure industry best practice, expectations and current regulations are met and that students are competent in skills and when to use the skills in first aid situations.

Emergency First Aid will be implementing the courses throughout the year. As an example, if your HLTAID003 expires, you will renew to HLTAID011.

The updates mean that there will be new course codes for first aid courses.

To maintain your accreditation and membership, full members must:

• accrue 20 Professional Development Points (Informal and Formal PD) every 1-year cycle being July 1 - June 30 annually.
• record your PD Activities
• submit your PD activities to MA

You may be audited and will need to provide evidence of your PD activities up to five years after the event. The PD Guidelines outline your PD responsibilities as a Member of the MA. Refer to the Professional Development page for all forms and guidelines