1996-1997
6.5: Hearing Services
The 1996-97 Portfolio Budget Statements, informs Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to portfolios outcomes and their objectives and targets including the agencies within the Health and Family Services portfolio.
Objective
- To reduce the consequences of hearing loss in the community by providing high quality, cost-effective hearing services to eligible clients.
Goals
- Quality and efficient hearing service provision that meets the needs of eligible people.
- Access to appropriate hearing services for special needs groups (eg children, Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, and people living in rural and remote communities).
- Improve hearing products and services.
Strategies
- Provide high quality, cost effective hearing services to eligible clients.
- Transfer service regulatory responsibilities to a separate portfolio agency.
- Enhance consumer choice and supplier competition by assisting in portfolio planning of a voucher system for hearing services.
- Enhance client service outcomes through appropriate quality assurance procedures and practices.
- Provide, in collaboration with other stakeholders, specialised services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Conduct research and development programs focussed on enhancing hearing aid technology and audiological services.
Performance Indicators and Targets
Effectiveness
- Proportion of client base receiving services.
Target: Maintain current levels of access. - Ability of clients to manage their hearing loss, as measured by client surveys.
- Establishment of separate regulatory authority by 1 March 1997 and of voucher system by 1 July 1997.
Efficiency
- Average service costs.
Target: Below international and commercial benchmarks.
Quality
- Client satisfaction with services, as measured by surveys.
- Number and quality of research papers published in refereed journals.
Equity
- Proportion of eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who use AHS services.
Budget Measures
Savings
Introduction of a Voucher System to Deliver Hearing Services
Financial Implications
1996-97 $m | 1997-98 $m | 1998-99 $m | 1999-00 $m |
0.4 | -4.3 | -4.1 | -3.7 |
Purpose of Measure
The purpose of the measure, through developing a voucher system for the receipt of funded hearing services, is to introduce greater choice for eligible clients and incentives for industry to restructure.Expected Implementation Strategies for Measure
The measure is to introduce a voucher system to deliver hearing services to eligible clients under the Hearing Services Programme. The implementation strategies for the measure are outlined below:- regulatory functions and service provision within Australian Hearing Services will be separated and a new regulatory agency will be created to operate from March 1997;
- the Australian Hearing Services will be one of a number of service providers competing to provide hearing services to both the Government and other clients.
- competition and user choice will be introduced through a voucher system for eligible clients which entitles them to hearing services from a provider of choice from July 1997:
- the voucher will enable eligible clients to have a professional hearing assessment, and an expertly fitted and serviced hearing aid from a provider of their own choice at no cost to them;
- clients will be able to top up the voucher to purchase a different (more expensive) aid if desired.
- Services to children, Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, clients in rural and remote areas, and groups of clients requiring high cost and complex services such as profoundly deaf or multiply disabled clients, will continue in the immediate future to be provided by Australian Hearing Services, taking advantage of its existing structures and efficiencies.
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Intended Impacts of Measure
Provide greater choice of service providers and hearing aids for all clients and foster a more competitive hearing services industry. Reduce costs to government.Measures to Rationalise Provisions for Disability Support Pensioners, the Sick and Carers
Financial Impact
1996-97 $m | 1997-98 $m | 1998-99 $m | 1999-00 $m |
-0.02 | -0.39 | -0.38 | -0.39 |
Purpose of Measure
To conduct medical reviews of Disability Support Pensioners who were previously receiving Invalid Pension.Expected Implementation Strategies for Measure
The reviews will be targeted to those under 55 not suffering from "manifest" conditions.Intended Impacts of Measure
It is likely that a number of customers found not to meet the medical eligibility requirements will transfer to a more appropriate income support payment. The savings arise from the difference between the value of pensioner concessions and health care card concessions.Introduction of Revised Impairment Tables for Use in the Assessment of Disability Support Pension
Financial Impact
1996-97 $m | 1997-98 $m | 1998-99 $m | 1999-00 $m |
-0.02 | -0.10 | -0.13 | -0.17 |
Purpose of Measure
To restrict entry to Disability Support Pension by applying improved entry and review impairment tests.Expected Implementation Strategies for Measure
The measure introduces a revised set of Impairment Tables from 1 January 1997 so that they can be applied to all claimants for Disability Support Pension and all reviews of entitlement from that date.Top of page
Intended Impacts of Measure
An increase in the proportion of Disability Support Pension claims rejected and in the proportion of cases cancelled on review. It is likely that the bulk of those rejected or cancelled will transfer to unemployment or other allowances. The savings arise from the difference between the value of pensioner concessions and health care card concessions.Reduction in Migrant Places under the Humanitarian Programme
1996-97 $m | 1997-98 $m | 1998-99 $m | 1999-00 $m |
- | -0.01 | -0.01 | -0.02 |
Migrant Two Year Waiting Period for Social Security Payments
1996-97 $m | 1997-98 $m | 1998-99 $m | 1999-00 $m |
- | -0.01 | -0.02 | -0.02 |
Reallocation of Funding for Administration of Re-opening Transfers from Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme to Public Sector Superannuation Scheme
1996-97 $m | 1997-98 $m | 1998-99 $m | 1999-00 $m |
-0.01 | - | - | - |
Across-the-Board Reduction of 2% in Running Costs
1996-97 $m | 1997-98 $m | 1998-99 $m | 1999-00 $m |
-1.3 | -1.4 | -1.4 | -1.4 |
Whole of Government Telecommunications Savings Initiatives
1996-97 $m | 1997-98 $m | 1998-99 $m | 1999-00 $m |
-0.05 | -0.11 | -0.13 | -0.14 |
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