National Diabetes Services Scheme

National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS)

Information relating to the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS)

Overview | New Agreement | Objectives of the National Diabetes Services Scheme 2006-2011 | No. of persons with diabetes registered with NDSS & Australian Government Expenditure

Overview

The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing has responsibility for the overall administration of the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS). The scheme commenced in 1987 and has been administered by Diabetes Australia (DA) under a series of grant agreements with the Australian Government. The current five year agreement expires on 30 June 2011.

The NDSS provides access to products and services needed for the self-management of diabetes at prices subsidised by the Australian Government. These products include syringes, insulin infusion pump consumables, and blood and urine glucose testing reagents. They are provided to NDSS registered people with diabetes throughout Australia, through DA offices, by mail order and through accredited sub-agents such as pharmacies, hospital clinics and other outlets. DA also provides a range of educational and information services to assist in the best use of products and the effective self management of diabetes. Australian Government expenditure on the scheme in 2007-2008 was $126.2 million.

NDSS registrants contribute to the cost of the Scheme through co-payments. These co-payments are indexed by CPI annually over the life of the current agreement to maintain their consistency with co-payments on the PBS. Co-payments for syringes will not be indexed as the state governments have committed to funding the gap on behalf of consumers.

The PBS also funds a number of products for persons with diabetes, primarily diagnostic agents and insulin. Australian Government expenditure of these supplies through the PBS for 2007-2008 was $298.3 million.

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NDSS Agreement

NDSS Agreement 2006-2011 (PDF 333 KB) is between the Australian Government, represented by the Department of Health and Ageing and Diabetes Australia Ltd, covering the period 1 November 2006 to 30 June 2011. This is a funding agreement with Diabetes Australia for the purpose of administering the scheme to provide benefits to persons with diabetes.

This document is provided as an Adobe Acrobat pdf file. You will need to install the Adobe Acrobat reader on your computer to view this file.

Objectives of the NDSS 2006-2011

Through the NDSS the Australian Government and DA work together to enhance the capacity of the person with diabetes to manage their life with diabetes and improve their health.

The goals of the scheme are as follows:

1. To reach every person who has a medical need for the products and services of the scheme.

2. Efficient and effective delivery of all products and services including the use of contemporary communication, information technology and management systems.

3. High quality care to the person with diabetes through provision of:

• appropriate products delivered to meet the diabetes health needs of the individual; and
• appropriate information, education and support services to maximise the capacity of the person with diabetes to manage their diabetes.

4. Access to required products and services, through:

• the implementation of an agreed access strategy; and
• provision of tailored services to meet the needs of special needs groups.

5. To develop and deliver diabetes health management programs that aim to maintain or improve the individual’s health and reduce the future call on health funding. These programs will be enhanced through strategic partnerships with government/s, non-government organisation and industry and have as their focus individuals with diabetes, their families and friends, general practitioners and other health workers.

6. To be responsive to the needs of the person with diabetes through:

• the implementation of strategic development projects; and
• the evaluation of specific components of the NDSS.

7. Effective use of the information collected under the NDSS to enhance health outcomes for people with diabetes while ensuring implementation of appropriate privacy protocols.

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Number of persons with diabetes registered with NDSS and Australian Government Expenditure

Financial Year	Persons	Australian Government expenditure
1999-2000	371,855	$49,714,806
2000-2001	429,132	$58,058,649
2001-2002	493,894	$65,872,305
2002-2003	561,458	$81,389,001
2003-2004	628,869	$86,267,883
2004-2005	697,973	$94,149,126
2005-2006	768,389	$104,528,713
2006-2007	844,063	$113,755,487
2007-2008	897,868	$126,172,296

Graph showing persons with diabetes by financial year.

Graph showing Government expenditure on the NDSS by financial year.