Hospital Circulars Main Index < Hospital Circulars 2005 Index <

Hospital Circular 25 /2005

Date Issued: 2 December 2005

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 2006.

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 2006 the new patient co-payment for concession patients is $4.70, and the safety net threshold is $253.80.

The new level of patient co-payment for non-concessional (general) patients will be $23.60 and the safety net threshold is $960.10.

Hospitals are advised that they may record $4.70 for every eligible supply to concessional patients and $23.60 for every eligible supply to general patients, on the patient’s Joint Safety Net Card.

Hospitals participating in the Australian Health Care Agreement-Pharmaceutical Reforms

PBS co-payments

From 1 January 2006 the co-payments for PBS listed items have been set as follows:

• Concession patients $4.70, safety net $253.80
• General patients: $29.50, safety net $960.10
• Non-PBS items: hospitals may charge up to cost price.

Hospitals participating in Pharmaceutical Reforms will be able to record $4.70 for every eligible PBS supply to concessional patients and up to the “Maximum Recordable Value for Safety Net” (maximum $29.50) 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 $29.50.

Noreen Dowd
Director, Programs
Metropolitan Health & Aged Care Services