View and manage an existing authority

You can search for existing authorities you’ve previously requested and check patient history and previous application details.

To do this use any of the following:

a Medicare number
your patient’s details
an Authority Prescription Number, Authority Approval Number or Authority Unique ID.

Access the Online PBS Authorities system through either:

upgraded clinical and prescribing software
Health Professional Online Services (HPOS).

You can access this service in HPOS with a Provider Digital Access (PRODA) account. If you don’t have one, register for a PRODA account. Then follow the steps to set up your HPOS access.

View existing authorities in HPOS

To view your patient’s existing authority records, follow these steps:

Log on to HPOS and select PBS authorities from the My programs menu.
Select Search authorities, then enter any of the following:
- your patient’s Medicare number
- your patient’s details
- an authority number, authority approval number or authority unique ID.
After entering information, select Search.
Select View action link to see the details of an authority application.

Amend existing authorities in HPOS

You can change an authority record that hasn’t yet been dispensed. You can’t amend an authority record that has a status of Awaiting Assessment or where the original prescription has been supplied. However you can stop the supply of any outstanding repeats.

If you change your patient’s details, the PBS item details, or restriction information, your authority will be reassessed.

To amend your patient’s existing authority prescriptions, follow these steps:

Log on to HPOS and select PBS authorities from the My programs menu.
Select Search authorities, then enter any of the following:
- your patient’s Medicare number
- your patient’s details
- an authority number, authority approval number or authority unique ID.
After entering information, select Search.
Select View action link to view the details of an authority record or to block remaining repeats from being dispensed.
Select the Amend action link, then Edit to make any of the following changes:
- patient details
- PBS item details
- restriction details
- questions and answers previously selected
- attach supporting documentation
- Authority Prescription Number.
Once you have made the necessary amendments or changes, select Submit.

Cancel existing authorities

You can cancel an approved authority that hasn’t yet been dispensed. You can’t cancel authority that have already had an original prescription supplied, however you can stop the supply of any outstanding repeats.

To cancel your patient’s existing authority prescription, follow these steps:

Log on to HPOS and select PBS authorities from the My programs menu.
Select Search authorities, then enter any of the following:
- your patient’s Medicare number
- your patient’s details
- an authority number, authority approval number or authority unique ID.
After entering information, select Search.
Select Amend action link on the Search Results section of the Authority Search page.
Select Cancel Application.

Block an authority in HPOS

You can block the supply of any outstanding repeats of an approved authority that has had an original prescription supplied.

Only the original prescriber can block an authority record. You won’t see the blocked authority straight away as it’s updated overnight in the PBS claims system. The system displays the date from when the block is in place. You’ll need to call PBS authority approvals to unblock an authority.

To block your patient’s existing authority prescription, follow these steps:

Log on to HPOS and select PBS authorities from the My programs menu.
Select Search authorities, then enter any of the following:
- your patient’s Medicare number
- your patient’s details
- an authority number, authority approval number or authority unique ID.
After entering information, select Search.
Select View from the Search Results section on the Authority Search page.
Select Block.

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