Other Australian Government health technology funding programs
In addition to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and the Prostheses List, the Australian Government funds a range of programs for the purposes of providing subsidised health technologies to Australians. These programs were out of scope for the HTA Review as they do not employ formal HTA processes.
National External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program
National Diabetes Services Scheme
National Epidermolysis Bullosa Dressing Scheme
Stoma Appliance Scheme
Life Saving Drugs Program
Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS)
Type 1 Diabetes Insulin Pump Program
Australian Government Hearing Services Program
Herceptin Program
For more information, please click on the program to go directly to the related website.
National External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program
The Australian Government has committed $31 million over five years to provide a reimbursement of up to $400 for both new and replacement external breast prostheses for Australian women who have had a mastectomy as a result of breast cancer. The program aims to ensure national consistency in the provision of support towards the cost of breast prostheses.For more information on the: National External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program
National Diabetes Services Scheme
The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) is an Australia Government initiative administered by Diabetes Australia. The NDSS delivers diabetes-related products at subsidised prices and provides information and support services to people with diabetes. Registration is free and open to all Australians diagnosed with diabetes.For more information on the: National Diabetes Services Scheme
National Epidermolysis Bullosa Dressing Scheme
The National Epidermolysis Bullosa Dressing Scheme (“National EB Dressing Scheme”) supports eligible people with Epidermolysis Bullosa by improving access to dressings and bandages which can be costly. Dressings help reduce infection, complications and unnecessary hospitalisations. The National EB Dressing Scheme is administered on behalf of the Australian Government by BrightSky Australia, in consultation with the National EB Dressing Scheme Clinical Advisory Committee and the Australian Government - Department of Health and Ageing.For more information on the: National Epidermolysis Bullosa Dressing Scheme
Stoma Appliance Scheme
The Stoma Appliance Scheme (SAS), subsidised by the Australian Government, provides stoma related products to assist people with stomas to better manage their condition.Approved products are listed on the SAS Schedule and are available free of charge to eligible participants.
For a stoma related product to be listed on the SAS Schedule, a supplier lodges an application to list a product with the Department. The Department takes advice from the Stoma Product Assessment Panel, a technical advice group, on each application and negotiates a price with the supplier prior to listing (where applicable).
For more information on the: Stoma Appliance Scheme
Life Saving Drugs Program
Through the Life Saving Drugs Program (LSDP), the Australian Government provides subsidised access for eligible patients to expensive, and potentially life saving drugs, for very rare life-threatening conditions. Before a drug is made available on the LSDP it must generally be accepted by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee as clinically necessary and effective, but not recommended for inclusion on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme due to unacceptable cost-effectiveness.For more information on the: Life Saving Drugs Program
Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS)
(before 1 July 2010 this program was known as the Continence Aids Assistance Scheme (CAAS)The Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) is an Australian Government Program that assists eligible people who have permanent and severe incontinence to meet some of the costs of continence products.
For more information on the: Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS)
Type 1 Diabetes Insulin Pump Program
The Type 1 Diabetes Insulin Pump Program is an Australian Government initiative to subsidise up to 80% of the price of a clinically recommended insulin pump for children under the age of 18 with type 1 diabetes.The cost of a clinically recommended insulin pump is determined by the minimum benefit payable for provision under the Private Health Insurance Act 2007, as stated in the Prostheses List.
For more information on: listing on the Prostheses List
Australian Government Hearing Services Program
Payments are made to hearing service providers for the delivery of services under the voucher system to eligible clients. The services include hearing assessments, the cost of the hearing device and its fitting, and government contribution to the maintenance and repair of hearing devices.For more information on the: Australian Government Hearing Services Program
Herceptin Program
The Australian Government funds a program to make sure Herceptin® is available free of charge for late stage metastatic breast cancer. This program is not part of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).For more information on the: Herceptin Program
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