Independent consultants
Independent consultants provide independent peer review of allied health practitioner (physical or psychological) treatment in the NSW workers compensation system.
In brief
An independent consultant is an allied health practitioner approved by SIRA to provide an independent peer review of allied health practitioner treatment in the NSW workers compensation system.
All independent consultants must be experienced in the assessment, treatment and management of work related injuries and approved by SIRA. They are also required to abide by our conditions of approval.
As an independent consultant, you may be called upon to provide an independent opinion and/or expert advice regarding:
- the treatment duration, frequency and/or whether treatment is reasonably necessary
- treatment that has continued for an extended period without any improvement in functional outcomes, particularly in relation to the worker’s capacity
- the treatment approach most likely to achieve positive work outcomes for the worker
- barriers to recovery at work and/or psychosocial risk factors for delayed recovery and work loss.
You may receive a referral for peer review at the request of:
- the insurer
- the allied health practitioner
- another member of the support team.
Regardless of who requests your involvement, you will be engaged by the insurer via the independent consultant referral form.
Reviewing physical treatment
An independent consultant reviewing physical treatment must be a registered:
- physiotherapist
- chiropractor
- osteopath.
Reviewing psychological treatment
An independent consultant reviewing psychological treatment must be a registered psychologist.
Forms you might need
- Independent consultant referral form
- Allied health recovery request (interactive version) is used to request treatment services
- Allied health recovery request (word version) if your computer can't open up the interactive version
Publications you might need
- Workers compensation guide for allied health practitioners
- Clinical framework for the delivery of health services
- SIRA workers compensation guideline for approval of treating allied health practitioners
- Guidelines for claiming workers compensation
Fees and invoicing
Independent consultants have the cost of their services paid by the insurer (as a claims cost). Fees are outlined in the Independent Consultants Fees Order.
See also the 2017 Independent Consultants Fees Order.
When invoicing, we have a payment system that requires itemised invoices. This system enables consistent data collection from service providers and insurers and ensures accurate payments.
What your invoices need to include
- worker's first and last name, and claim number
- payee details
- ABN
- name of the medical practitioner or service provider who provided the service
- SIRA workers compensation approval number or medical practitioner's Health Insurance Commission provider number (where applicable)
- date of service
- SIRA workers compensation payment classification code or AMA item number where applicable. Refer to either the claims technical manual for:
- service cost for each SIRA workers compensation payment classification code or AMA item number and service duration (if applicable)
- date of invoice (must be on the day of or after last date of service listed on the invoice)
To prevent delays in payment, these details will need to be provided on all invoices.
Invoices must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the service being provided.
Send your invoices to the injured worker’s insurer.