EmailHospital Circular 38/2002
Date Issued: 31 December 2002
Publication: 38/2002
Distribution: Public Hospitals
Subject: Outpatient charges, PBS co-payments and Safety Net thresholds
Purpose: To advise hospitals of the outpatient charges, PBS co-payments and Safety Net thresholds for 2003.
Hospitals not participating in the Australian Health Care Agreement Pharmaceutical Reforms
Outpatient charges and Joint Safety Net thresholds
The Commonwealth has advised that effective 1 January 2003 the new patient co-payment for concession patients is $3.70, and the safety net threshold is $192.40.
The new level of patient co-payment for non-concessional (general) patients will be $18.50 and the safety net threshold is $708.40.
Hospitals are advised that they may record $3.70 for every eligible supply to concessional patients and $18.50 for every eligible supply to general patients, on the patients Joint Safety Net Card.
Hospitals participating in the Australian Health Care Agreement-Pharmaceutical Reforms
PBS copayments
From 1 January 2003 the copayments for PBS listed items have been set as follows:
- Concession patients $3.70, safety net $192.40
- General patients: $23.10, safety net $708.40
- Non-PBS items: hospitals may charge up to cost price.
Hospitals participating in Pharmaceutical Reforms will be able to record $3.70 for every eligible PBS supply to concessional patients and up to the "Maximum Recordable Value for Safety Net" (maximum $23.10) as listed in the appropriate Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits for supply to general patients, on the patient's Safety Net Card. These hospitals will also be able to record the cost price for supply of non-PBS items up to a maximum of $23.10.
Noreen Dowd
Director, Programs Branch
Metropolitan Health and Aged Care Services
