Health Technology Assessment Access Point (HTAAP)
HTA Access Point
Composition and function of the HTA Access Point
Role of the HTA Access Point
Eligibility Criteria
HTA Access Point Information Pack
How the HTA Access Point will help you
Overview of the functionality of the HTA Access Point
Contact Details
HTA Access Point
The single entry point, known as the Health Technology Assessment Access Point (HTAAP), commenced operation on 15 September 2010. The HTAAP assists potential applicants for HTA for reimbursement where the applicant is uncertain about the funding program for which their technology may be eligible, or where their technology may need to be assessed by more than one expert advisory committee, such as in the case of a co-dependent technology.Composition and function of the HTA Access Point
The HTAAP consists of a support unit within the department which, following initial contact from a potential applicant, assists the applicant through the entire HTA process until a decision on funding the technology is reached, or until such time as the assessment process is terminated.Role of the HTA Access Point
The role of the HTAAP is to:- provide a single point of contact to help applicants throughout Australian Government HTA for reimbursement processes, especially where a co-dependent or hybrid technology is involved and it is unclear under which funding program (MBS, PBS or Prostheses List) an application should be made;
- determine the most appropriate expert advisory committee(s) to appraise the technology;
- identify the most appropriate assessment pathway for an application, including by maintaining and reinforcing current processes where these are the most efficient for the technologies submitted to a particular process;
- conduct an initial risk and impact assessment and determine the most appropriate methodology to be used in assessing the technology;
- ensure the timely assessment and appraisal of co-dependent and hybrid technologies, or technologies being assessed concurrently for both public and private reimbursement and coordinate the provision of comprehensive advice to the Minister for Health and Ageing;
- achieve synergies through sharing and sustaining HTA expertise across the expert advisory committee secretariats; and
- develop and report on the achievement of performance targets for HTA for reimbursement.
Eligibility Criteria
The HTAAP is available to assist potential applicants with a co-dependent or hybrid technology eligible for funding under the MBS, PBS and/or Prostheses List, or a technology where the assessment pathway through these existing HTA processes is uncertain. The HTAAP’s functions will continue to expand as processes are reengineered and aligned.Technologies already ‘listed’ on the MBS, PBS or Prostheses List that require reconsideration due to an amendment or adjustment to the technology or use for the technology, and where that amendment potentially has ramifications for another of the Australian Government HTA expert advisory committees, may also contact the HTAAP about their application.
Applications not managed by the HTA Access Point
Funding programs and processes specifically out-of-scope for the HTAAP’s assistance include those:- where the application for reimbursement clearly belongs to one reimbursement pathway (for example, PBS, or MBS or Prostheses List);
- other Australian Government funding programs that do not employ HTA processes;
- those wholly within the operation of state and territory government HTA processes; and
- any HTA processes conducted by Australian Government departments outside the health portfolio will also not be considered by the HTAAP support unit.
HTA Access Point Information Pack
The HTAAP has developed an Information Pack for applicants with co-dependent or hybrid technologies seeking reimbursement. This HTAAP Information Pack (PDF 147 KB) provides basic information to potential applicants to assist them in early discussions with the Department about potential applications. The Information Pack includes contact information, an outline of the role and function of the HTAAP, an outline of Australian Government HTA processes, arrangements for HTA of co-dependent technologies and frequently asked questions.How the HTA Access Point will help you
In its role of supporting HTA applicants, the HTAAP will:- be a public interface with stakeholders (through a website and guidance documents);
- be a single liaison point for applicants and the HTA processes including advising potential applicants of whether the scope of their technology can be assessed under the HTAAP process or should be referred directly to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, Medical Services Advisory Committee or Prostheses Section secretariats for information and advice;
- organise broad based initial meetings with the technology sponsor and the relevant expert advisory committee(s) secretariat(s) and technical advisers. This meeting will provide a “whole-of-HTA system” view to aid an applicant’s understanding of how an application could progress through the various Australian Government HTA processes;
- have a co-ordination function for those applications which would need to be assessed by multiple HTA processes and expert advisory committees such as hybrid or co-dependent technologies including providing assistance to:
- determine which expert advisory committee(s) should appraise the technology;
- identify the likely assessment pathway(s) for an application;
- determine an appropriate methodology(ies) to be used in assessing the technology; and
- conduct an initial risk and impact assessment.
- manage information sharing between the HTA processes and expert advisory committees and applicants;
- co-ordinate evidentiary requirements and assessment processes to promote greater consistency across the HTA processes and advisory committees; and
- monitor and track the progress of applications.
Overview of the functionality of the HTA Access Point
Contact details
HTA for reimbursement applicants with in-scope technology may contact the HTAAP support unit through any of the following methods:| Website | www.health.gov.au/hta |
| Contact details | Department of Health and Ageing HTA Access Point (HTAAP) (MDP 854) GPO Box 9848 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Phone: (02) 6289 7550 Email: hta@health.gov.au |
Page currency, Latest update: 20 December, 2011
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