Agency Responsibilities

The Department of Human Services Victoria (DHS) seeks to ensure changes to public hospitals fees and charges are accessible by the field as soon as possible as this helps agencies implement any changes by their date of effect. Accordingly CEOs or their delegate(s) of all Victorian public hospitals, Bush Nursing Hospitals, Public Extended Care Centres, Regional Offices, Metropolitan Health Services, and Ambulance Service are to ensure access to that information by relevant staff.

Key sources of Government and Department advice of changes to public hospital fees and charges currently include Commonwealth HBF Circulars and Victorian Hospital Circulars.

Commonwealth HBF Circulars

These are produced by the Private Heath Industry Branch, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. They include information relating specifically to regulations, default benefit changes and other specific policy issues. To receive these direct by email within around 24 hours of publication, email subscription details to Private Health Industry Branch at HIS@health.gov.au. Details should include Nature of Business, Company Name, Contact Name, Position, Postal Address, Phone, Fax and if possible Email address. See also Commonwealth Circular HBF 680 regarding Distribution Arrangements.

Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing Circulars issued by the Private Health Industry Branch are prefixed "HBF" prior to April 2003 and PHI from 1 April 2003

In addition regularly check the Private Heath Industry Branch DHAC website for new HBF Circulars.

Victorian Public Hospital Circulars

These are produced by the Metropolitan Health & Aged Care Division of the Department of Human Services and include Departmental policy on fees and charges for services provided by public hospitals. To receive automatic notification of these by E-mail, E-mail your name, title, organisation, work address and E-mail address to Ms Christine Currie, Office of the Director, Metropolitan Health & Aged Care Division at chris.currie@dhs.vic.gov.au. (For enquires, the contact number is (03) 9096 8073).

In addition regularly check the Hospital Circular Internet website: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/hospitalcirculars/index.htm

Fees Manual

This Fees Manual is kept up to date with the issuing of Hospital Circulars by the Department. Please note that from time to time Manual updates lag behind Circular advice.

Enquiries

1. For information relating to this site, contact: Peter Lewis Tel 61 - 3 - 9096 9050
   
   
2. Technical enquiries can be directed to the Electronic Service Delivery Unit, Metropolitan Health and Aged Care Services Division , Department of Human Services on Email mhacsweb@dhs.vic.gov.au Ph: (03) 9096 9936 or (03) 9096 7445