National Diabetes Services Scheme

National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS)

Information relating to the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS)

Overview | Aim of the Scheme | NDSS 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 management of the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS). The NDSS commenced in 1987 and has been administered by Diabetes Australia Ltd (DA) under a series of Agreements with the Australian Government. The current five year Agreement expires on 30 June 2011.

Aim of the Scheme

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:

• subsidised testing strips for checking blood gluclose levels;
• free insulin syringes and pen-needles for people who require insulin (state and territory governments partially fund these items);
• subsidised insulin pump consumables (IPCs) ; and
• information services on managing life with diabetes.

Products are provided to NDSS registered people with diabetes all over Australia, through DA offices, by mail order and through accredited Sub-agents such as pharmacies and hospital clinics. 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 2008-2009 was $127.4 million.

To register with the NDSS, applicants must be diagnosed with diabetes and hold or be eligible to hold a Medicare card and live in Australia. Sometimes visitors to Australia may be eligible through a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with their home country.

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 are not indexed as state and territory 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 2008-2009 was approximately $330 million. Top of page

Further information about the Scheme can be found on the NDSS website.

NDSS Agreement

The NDSS agreement is between the Australian Government, represented by the Department of Health and Ageing and DA, covering the period 1 November 2006 to 30 June 2011. The funding agreement enables DA to administer the Scheme on behalf of the Australian Government.

Objectives of the NDSS 2006-2011

Through the NDSS the Australian Government and DA work together to enhance the capacity of people with diabetes to understand and manage their life with diabetes and to ensure they have timely, reliable and affordable access to the supplies and services they require to effectively self-manage their diabetes.

The goals of the scheme are as follows:

1. To reach all eligible people with diabetes who have 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 each eligible 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 each eligible 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 insuring implementation of appropriate privacy protocols.

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

Financial Year	Persons	Australian Government expenditure
2000-2001	383,443	$58,058,649
2001-2002	438,991	$65,872,305
2002-2003	496,642	$81,389,001
2003-2004	553,692	$86,267,883
2004-2005	611,603	$94,149,126
2005-2006	669,741	$104,528,713
2006-2007	732,017	$113,755,487
2007-2008	798,538	$126,172,296
2008-2009	877,572	$127,427,585

^{Figures correct at 18 February 2010} Top of page