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PHI 18/10

This circular issued by the Private Health Insurance Branch contains information regarding New Arrangements for the Refinement of the Australian Refined Diagnosis Related Groups (AR-DRG) Classification System

Printable version of PHI 18/10 (PDF 29 KB)

9 April 2010

New Arrangements for the Refinement of the Australian Refined Diagnosis Related Groups (AR-DRG) Classification System

The purpose of this circular is to advise of changes to the arrangements for the refinement of the AR-DRG Classification System.

The Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) currently contracts the National Centre for Classification in Health (NCCH) to complete refinement of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification (ICD-10-AM) / Australian Classification of Health Interventions (ACHI) / Australian Coding Standards (ACS). This contract will end on 30 June 2010.

A review of the AR-DRG Classification System was conducted in early 2009. The Review of the AR-DRG Classification System Development Process recommended that one organisation assume responsibility for both the ICD-10-AM and the AR-DRG refinement. The Review also recommended improvements to the development process and clearer means of prioritising and assessing proposed changes for both the ICD-10-AM and the AR-DRG Classification System. A copy of the Review can be found at the Department's website.

As a result, the University of Wollongong is contracted until 30 June 2013 to refine the AR-DRG Classification System.

Any coding sub-licensing arrangements already in place with the NCCH will end on 30 June 2010 and new sub-licensing arrangements will need to be put in place with the University of Wollongong from 1 July 2010.

The new contract with the University of Wollongong specifically requires that the University offer these sub-licences at no cost. UoW will be contacting all stakeholders to arrange for new sub-licences to be implemented for post June 2010.

If you have any questions related to this matter please contact Kelvin King, Director, Classification Management and Statistics Section, Healthcare Services Information Branch, Acute Care Division on (02) 6289 8334.

If you require further information please telephone: (02) 6289 9853/24 hr answering machine or email the enquiry to Private Health Insurance Branch

For more information visit 2010 Private Health Insurance (PHI) Circulars.

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