Health
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Hospital Circular 12/1999

Date Issued: 31 December 1999
Publication: 12/1999
Contact: Regional Office
Distribution: Public Hospitals
Subjects:

  1. Public Hospital Fees
    1. Patient classification for fund benefit purposes
    2. New default table - schedule 7 - care plans and case conferencing
    3. Day only arrangements:
      1. Amendments to the Type B (day only) and the Type C (exclusion) Lists
      2. Day Only Procedures Manual-Fourth Edition, September 1999
    4. Nursing Home Type Patients (NHTPs) -patient contribution
    5. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) copayment and safety net threshold
  2. General Information
    1. Acute Care (3B) Certificates - contact number for orders
    2. Medicare Benefits Schedule book
    3. Guidelines in relation to co-located private hospitals and day hospital facilities
    4. Overseas Student Health Cover Arrangements
    5. Update to the Fees Manaul

1 Public Hospital Fees

  1. Patient classification for fund benefit purposes

    The patient classification schedule for fund benefit purposes has changed as a result of amendments to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) with effect from 1 November 1999. The 1 November 1999 MBS amendments included a 1.5% fee increase for all MBS items except for Pathology and Diagnostic Imaging.

    As a result, the dollar threshold for basic default benefit purposes are now:

    . advanced surgical: surgical procedures with a MBS fee greater than $656.20

    . surgical: surgical procedures with a MBS fee between $195.40 and $656.20

    . other: procedures with a MBS fee less than $195.40

    The Commonwealth has provided advice on the correct benefit level in regard to pre-operative day arrangements. (HBF 605)

    To access these updates to the Fees and Charges for Acute Health Services in Victoria: A Handbook for Public Hospitals, refer to:

    • Section A: Fees for Admitted Patients

      3. Private Admitted Patients

      3.1 Overnight Stay Patients
      Patient Classifications; and

    • Appendix C: Patient Classification Schedule

  2. New default table - schedule 7 - care plans and case conferencing

    The Commonwealth has advised that as from 1 November 1999 new items on the MBS have been created for preventative health care and management. These measures are intended to enhance primary care for older Australians, people with chronic illnesses, and those who require a range of services to support them in the community.

    A small number of care plans and case conferencing MBS item numbers refer to private admitted privately insured hospital patients (other than nursing home type patients) in respect of hospital treatment provided in hospitals or day hospital facilities. No facility benefit prescribed under the Default Table apply. Full conditions to be met before benefits will be paid and full description details are in the MBS book 1 November 1999.

    Refer Commonwealth Circular HBF 598.

    To access this updates to the Fees and Charges for Acute Health Services in Victoria: A Handbook for Public Hospitals, refer to:

    Section C: Fees for Other Services
    5. Preventative Health Care and Management

  3. Day only arrangements

    1. Amendments to the Type B (day only) and the Type C (exclusion) Lists

      Refer Commonwealth Circular(s):

      • HBF 582 for adjustments to the Type C list effective from 1 September 1999;and,

      following the release of the 1 November 1999 MBS:

      • HBF 599 for adjustments to the Type B and Type C lists effective 1 November 1999; and
      • HBF 617 for amendments the Type B and Type C lists effective 1 February 2000.
    2. Day Only Procedures Manaul-Fourth Edition, September 1999

      Refer: Commonwealth Circular HBF Circular HBF 613 Day Only Procedures Manual; and the Commonwealth's Day Only Procedure Manual 4th Edition - September 1999

      To access these updates in the Fees and Charges for Acute Health Services in Victoria: A Handbook for Public Hospitals, refer to:

      • Section A: Fees for Admitted Patients

        3. Private Admitted Patients

        3.2 Same Day Patients; and

      • Appendix D: Type B (day only) and the Type C (exclusion) Lists

  4. Nursing Home Type Patients (NHTPs) in public hospitals- patient contribution

    The Commonwealth Government advised of a pension increase 20 September 1999. As a result the Victorian Department of Human Services has increased its NHT patient contribution to $27.65 per day, effective 20 October 1999. To access this update in the Fees and Charges for Acute Health Services in Victoria: A Handbook for Public Hospitals, refer to:

    Section A: Fees for Admitted Patients

    9. Nursing Home Type Patients

  5. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) copayment and safety net threshold

    The Commonwealth has advised that effective 1 January 2000: the new level of PBS patient co-payment for concessional patients is $3.30, and the new safety net threshold for concessional patients is $171.60.

    Hospitals are advised that they may record $3.30 for every eligible supply to concessional patients from 1 January 2000. Fees for non concessional patients ("general patients" ) is to remain at $15.00 per prescription item however the safety net threshold has increased to $631.20 per calendar year.

    To access this update in the Fees and Charges for Acute Health Services in Victoria: A Handbook for Public Hospitals, refer to:

    Section B: Fees for Non-Admitted Patients

    3. Pharmaceutical Fees and

    3.1 Pharmaceutical Benefits Safety Net Scheme

2 General Information

  1. Acute Care (3B) Certificates - contact number for orders

    The Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care (Vic), Corporate Services Branch, has advised that the direct contact number for ordering Acute Care Certificate forms for public and private hospitals in Victoria has changed to phone (03) 9665 8202, fax (03) 9665 8181, e-mail richard.serong@health.gov.au.

    Question about the form should be referred to the Canberra office: 1800 020 103 and ask for the Health Insurance Development Group.

  2. Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Book (1 November 1999)

    All active medical practitioners who provide services where there are Medicare claims against their provider number are entitled to one free copy of the Medicare Benefits Schedule book in either CD ROM or book format. Additional copies for medical practices and commercial users can be purchased from AustInfo by contacting 132 447. The current purchase price for the book is $26.55.

    The MBS is also available in either a text or viewing file format on the Department of Health and Aged Care's Internet site http://www.health.gov.au/pubs/mbs/index.htm.

    Enquires regarding obtaining a copy of the Schedule should be directed to the Central Office of the Department of Health and Aged Care by Fax (02) 6289 4996 or Freecall 1800 020 103.

  3. Guidelines in relation to co-located private hospitals and day hospital facilities

    Refer Commonwealth Circular HBF 588

  4. Overseas Student Health Cover Arrangements

    Refer to

    • Commonwealth Circular HBF 579 Overseas Student Health Cover Arrangements; and
    • Overseas Student Health Cover Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care website.

    To access these updates in the Fees and Charges for Acute Health Services in Victoria: A Handbook for Public Hospitals, refer to:

    Section A: Fees for Admitted Patients

    8. Eligible and Ineligible Patients

    Overseas Student

  5. Update to the Fees Manual

    The State's electronic Fees and Charges for Acute Health Services in Victoria: A Handbook for Public Hospitals has been updated in accordance with this and other Fees and charges Circular advice can be found on the Fees Manual website.

DR HEATHER BUCHAN
ACTING DIRECTOR
ACUTE HEALTH

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