A chiropractor was recently prosecuted in the Adelaide Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to twelve charges pursuant to Section 34(1) and Section 37(1) of the Chiropractic and Osteopathy Practice Act, 2005 – practising whilst not registered. The chiropractor was fined $10,000 and convictions were recorded.

The Board would like to take this opportunity to remind all chiropractors and osteopaths that they must not practise using another practitioner’s Medicare provider number and they may not permit another person to use their provider number.

It is against the law to use a provider number of another chiropractor or osteopath for services that they did not render.

Practitioners who provide services at a location for less than two weeks as a locum, and do not expect to return to that location on a regular basis, are able to use an existing provider number from another location.

Practitioners who are self-employed locums and practise at more than one location for more than two weeks, or return to locations on a regular basis for short periods, must make sure they have a separate provider number for each different practice location.

Provider number enquiries should be directed to Medicare – ph: 132 150

Registrants are also reminded that when employing other chiropractors and osteopaths (including locums) in South Australia they have a responsibility to ensure the person is registered with the Board and permitted to engage in the practice of chiropractic and/or osteopathy in South Australia. Employers should ensure they sight evidence of current registration in South Australia, or check registration online using Search the Register before permitting a chiropractor or osteopath to commence working in their practice.

Chiropractors or osteopaths who hold out an unregistered person as a chiropractor or osteopath and/or allow an unregistered person to provide chiropractic or osteopathy treatment risk prosecution under Section 34(2) of the Act. Maximum Penalty $50,000 or imprisonment for 6 months.