PATIENTS TO BENEFIT IPTAAS BOOST

PATIENTS TO BENEFIT IPTAAS BOOST

23 September 2011

Nationals Member for Lismore Thomas George today welcomed the NSW Government’s $28 million boost the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS).

The Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research, Jillian Skinner, today announced the detail behind the $28 million increase.

Patients who need to travel long distances for treatment will receive a massive 30 per cent boost in their accommodation subsidies and a 25 per cent boost in petrol subsidies.

This the first time the accommodation subsidy has gone up in 11 years.

The NSW Government is delivering a boost of $28 million over four years, including $7 million this year.

Mr George said it was a great help for country patients who need to travel long distances for treatment.

“The NSW Government wants to make sure patients aren’t deterred from travelling to access vital treatment and this significant boost will help.

“It’s tragic to think that some people are declining treatment because of the long distances involved,” Mr George said.

Changes to the scheme:

• For the first time since 2006, there will be an increase in the rates for travel and accommodation assistance for people needing to travel at least 100 kilometres one way for specialist medical treatment.
• Accommodation subsidies increase by 30 per cent, to $43 per single person and $60 per double up from $33 per single and $46 per double.
• Reimbursement for car travel will now be 19 cents per kilometre, up from 15 cents.
• It will also be easier for patients to stay with family and friends when receiving specialist medical treatment, with a subsidy of $140 per week, up from $30 per week.

The Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner, said she was pleased to deliver on an election promise.

“This boost supports the NSW Government’s commitment to ensuring that the people of NSW have access to timely and quality health care regardless of where they live,” Minister Skinner said.

The new arrangements, which come into effect on 1 January next year, will also allow any patient travelling at least 200 kilometres in one week to claim IPTAAS subsidies.

Previously, only patients travelling to access renal dialysis services were eligible to claim under this rule.

There will also be a change to the current $40 administration fee charged for processing claims made by patients who are not pensioners or health care card holders.

From 1 January, once a patient’s IPTAAS subsidies reach $1,000 within a year, the $40 administration fee will be waived.