EmailHospital Circular 31/2002
Date Issued: 8 September 2002
Publication: 31/2002
Distribution: Registrants (Acute Health Circular 3/1999 refers)
Contact: Regional Office
Subject: Admitted Patient Election Processes Relating to Private Patients in Public Hospitals
Public hospitals will be aware the Department of Human Services altered its policy arrangements relating to private patients in public hospitals and hospital retention of additional private patient revenue within its overall WIES target. That policy provides an incentive for hospitals to seek an election from those patients that hold private insurance to be private patients. The policy is detailed in Victoria - Public Hospitals and Mental Health Services Policy and Funding Guidelines 2002 - 2003 , Section B Conditions of Funding, Revenue section, 5.3.
In implementing the policy, hospitals must continue to observe the requirements under the Australian Health Care Agreement (AHCA) for patients electing to receive public hospital admitted patient services as a public or private patient.
The Commonwealth Department of Health And Ageing has released detailed standards that must be followed when patients make the election between public and private status. Those national standards are titled National Standards for Public Hospital Admitted Patient Election Process. Note under the national standards individual public hospitals can tailor the admitted patient election form to meet their needs provided the forms are consistent with the national standards specified.
DHS is continuing to work on a general election form, but hospitals need to continue to use their own forms consistent with the Commonwealth guidelines.
Dr Jenny Bartlett
Acting Executive Director
Metropolitan Health and Aged Care Services
