Australian Government Directory of Services for Older People 2012-2013
Medical care
Table of contents
Aeromedical evacuations and primary health care services
The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS) has been providing a range of health services to rural, remote and regional Australia for over 80 years.Since its inception the RFDS has applied the latest technology to deliver health services to the challenging environment of remote Australia; overcoming the tyranny of distance and barriers to communication. By using flight and other transport means (using telephone, radio, satellite and web based communication technologies) and providing high quality health services, the RFDS strives to improve the health and wellbeing of people living, working and travelling in regional, rural and remote Australia.
The organisation is a comprehensive network with four operating sections providing emergency and transport services, remote services and a range of clinic services across remote Australia. Clinic services are provided on a regular basis in remote locations. They include general medical practice, child and maternal health, women’s health, health promotion, health screening and population health services such as immunisation, mental health and other allied health services.
RFDS operational bases and health facilities form a strategic network that facilitates the effective and efficient delivery of health care throughout the country. RFDS employs a range of staff including medical practitioners, women’s health doctors, registered nurses, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, allied health professionals, pilots, and management and administration officers in its mission to improve the nation’s health.
The RFDS is funded by the Australian Government, state and territory governments, and by donations and corporate sponsorships.
Phone: (02) 8259 8100 (RFDS National Office - general enquiries)
Email: Royal Flying Doctor Service National Office
Website: Royal Flying Doctor Service at www.flyingdoctor.org.au
Postal: Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia
National Office
8th Floor
15-17 Young Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Top of page
Allied health and dental care
Patients with a chronic condition and complex care needs may be eligible for Medicare benefits for up to five allied health services per calendar year from certain allied health professionals, on referral from their GP. To be eligible for these services, patients must have both a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangements in place. For residents of a residential aged care facility, the GP must have contributed to a relevant multidisciplinary care plan provided by the facility. The allied health service/s must be recommended in the patient’s care plan.Medicare benefits for allied health services are also available for people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent who have had a health assessment. Eligible patients can be referred by their GP for up to five Medicare rebateable follow-up allied health services per calendar year. These follow-up allied health services are in addition to the five services available to patients with a chronic condition and complex care needs.
Eligible allied health professionals include:
- Aboriginal health workers
- audiologists
- chiropractors
- diabetes educators
- dieticians
- exercise physiologists
- mental health workers
- occupational therapists
- osteopaths
- physiotherapists
- podiatrists
- psychologists
- speech pathologists.
People with Type 2 Diabetes can also receive Medicare benefits for group services provided by eligible diabetes educators, exercise physiologists and/or dieticians on referral from their GP. To be eligible, patients must have a GP Management Plan or, for residents of a residential aged care facility, the GP must have contributed to a relevant care plan provided by the facility.
If you might be eligible for allied health services Medicare benefits, speak to your GP or medical practice.
Website: Department of Health and Ageing at www.health.gov.au/mbsprimarycareitems
Postal: Department of Health and Ageing
GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601
Top of page
Allied health services—Repatriation Health Card holders
If you have a Repatriation Health Card—for all Conditions (Gold) or a Repatriation Health Card—for Specific Conditions (White) you may get access to a range of allied health services including chiropractic, dietetics, occupational therapy, osteopathy, physiotherapy, podiatry, psychology, speech pathology and social work. If you have a Gold Card, you are eligible for services to treat all medical conditions. If you have a White Card, you are eligible for services to treat specified conditions. The number and frequency of clinical treatments you receive for allied health services is determined by your health care provider, based on assessed clinical need.
You may also receive one initial and one subsequent optometric consultation in a two-year period and either:
- one pair of bifocal, trifocal or progressive power lenses
- one pair of reading and one pair of distance spectacles.
Phone: 13 32 54 (veterans - capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (veterans - regional callers)
Email: Department of Veterans' Affairs
Website: Department of Veterans' Affairs at www.dva.gov.au
Postal: Department of Veterans’ Affairs
GPO Box 9998
Canberra ACT 2601
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet is a ‘one-stop info-shop’ that aims to contribute to ‘closing the gap’ in health outcomes between Indigenous and other Australians by informing practice and policy in Indigenous health. The information available helps the general community to improve their understanding of Indigenous health and related areas. It is an innovative web resource that makes research and other information on Indigenous health readily accessible.Website: Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet at www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au
Top of page
Day Therapy Centres
The Day Therapy Centre Program provides a wide range of therapy services to frail older people living in the community and residents of Australian government-funded aged care homes who are receiving low-level care.Therapy services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy and podiatry. They are offered to help frail older people maintain or recover a level of independence that will allow them to remain in the community or in low-level care.
You can obtain a referral for yourself or the person you care for through:
- a general practitioner
- Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACAT)
- a social worker
- a geriatrician
- hospitals
- community health workers
- self-referral
- referral by a carer or family member.
Phone: 1800 200 422 (National number for information on aged care)
Websites: Aged Care Australia at www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres at www.commcarelink.health.gov.au
Dental and optical services - Repatriation Health Card holders
Gold and White Card holders can access dental and optical services at Repatriation Commission expense, without a referral from a Local Medical Officer (a GP registered with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs). If you have a Gold Card you are eligible to receive appropriate dental and optical services to treat all conditions. If you have a White Card you are eligible for services to treat specified conditions. Some financial limits apply to dental and optical services.
Phone: 13 32 54 (veterans - capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (veterans - regional callers)
Email: Department of Veterans' Affairs
Website: Department of Veterans' Affairs at www.dva.gov.au
Postal: Department of Veterans’ Affairs
GPO Box 9998
Canberra ACT 2601
Top of page
Hospital services - Repatriation Health Card holders
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) will pay for hospital treatment for Gold and White Card holders at public hospitals, or at private hospitals or day procedure centres that have agreements in place with DVA.If you have a Gold Card, DVA will pay for hospital services available through DVA arrangements that meet your clinical needs.
If you have a White Card, DVA will pay for hospital services available through DVA arrangements that are required because of an accepted war or service-caused injury or disease.
Your treating doctor can make the necessary arrangements to admit you to hospital.
The hospital will bill DVA direct for your medical treatment. Depending on the hospital, paying for non-medical expenses such as phones, TV and newspapers may be your responsibility.
Phone: 13 32 54 (veterans—capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (veterans—regional callers)
Website: Department of Veterans' Affairs at www.dva.gov.au
Postal: Department of Veterans’ Affairs
GPO Box 9998
Canberra ACT 2601
Local Medical Officer scheme - Repatriation Health Card holders
This is a scheme where GPs, known as Local Medical Officers, are registered by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) to provide medical care to eligible veterans. If you have a Gold Card you are eligible for the treatment of all medical conditions. If you have a White Card you are eligible for the treatment of specified conditions.The Local Medical Officer will:
- provide necessary prescriptions and referrals
- conduct regular reviews of your medication and treatment
- coordinate all your health services
- under certain circumstances, prepare a health care plan, health assessment or case conference for you.
Phone: 13 32 54 (veterans - capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (veterans - regional callers)
Website: Department of Veterans' Affairs at www.dva.gov.au
Top of page
Medical grade footwear—Repatriation Health Card holders
Medical grade footwear can be supplied to eligible veterans and war widow(er)s where clinically required; and where standard footwear cannot be used, to alleviate the effect of a recognised medical foot condition.Gold Card holders can receive medical grade footwear if assessed by a podiatrist or appropriate health professional as having a clinical need. White Card holders can do so only in relation to their accepted disabilities or relevant determined conditions.
Phone: 13 32 54 (veterans—capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (veterans—regional callers)
Medicare Safety Net
If you need to see a doctor or have tests regularly, you could end up with high medical costs. The Medicare Safety Net provides patients with an additional benefit once an annual threshold for out-of-hospital Medicare services has been reached. Out-of-hospital services include GP visits and some pathology and diagnostic imaging tests. Services provided in a hospital or day surgery facility are not usually eligible for the Medicare Safety Net. There are three thresholds:- Extended General - for all Australians.
- Extended Concessional and Family Tax Benefit (Part A) - for Commonwealth concession cardholders or families which are eligible for FTB(A) payments.
- Original - for all Australians.
Extended thresholds
When you go to the doctor, the difference between what they charge and what you get back from your Medicare benefit is called the out-of-pocket amount. These are the amounts which count towards this threshold. Once you qualify, you will receive 80 per cent of your out-of-pocket amounts for future out-of-hospital Medicare services for the rest of the calendar year. If the service has an Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN) benefit cap, you will receive 80 per cent of your out-of-pocket amount or the EMSN benefit cap amount, whichever is the lower amount.Original threshold
For every Medicare service, the government sets a schedule fee—this is not the doctor’s fee. Your Medicare benefit for out-of-hospital services is usually 85 per cent of the schedule fee, except for GP consultations where you receive 100 per cent of the schedule fee. The difference between the schedule fee and the Medicare benefit is called the gap amount. This is the amount which counts towards this threshold. So it’s usually blood tests, x-rays and minor procedures that count towards this threshold, as GP consultations don’t have a gap amount.Once you qualify for this threshold, you’ll receive 100 per cent of the schedule fee for future out-of-hospital Medicare services for the rest of the calendar year.
The table below shows the four threshold levels and who is eligible for each one.
Top of page
Medicare Safety Net thresholds as at January 2012
| Safety Net | Threshold | Who is it for? | How is it calculated? | Benefits to customers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Safety Net | $413.50 | All Medicare cardholders | The gap between the 85% benefit and the schedule fee | Increases the standard Medicare rebate from 85% to 100% for out-of-hospital Medicare services |
| Extended concession | $598.80 | Concession cardholders | Out-of-pocket costs | 80% of out-of-pocket costs or the EMSN benefit cap for out-of-hospital Medicare services |
| Extended FTB (A) | $598.80 | Families eligible for FTB (A) | Out-of-pocket costs | 80% of out-of-pocket costs or the EMSN benefit cap for out-of-hospital Medicare services |
| Extended general | $1,198.00 | All Medicare card holders | Out-of-pocket costs | 80% of out-of-pocket costs or the EMSN benefit cap for out-of-hospital Medicare services |
The Department of Human Services will automatically keep a tally of your medical expenses for you and will contact you when you are nearing a threshold to confirm who is in your family. Individuals are automatically registered for the Medicare Safety Net. Just keep your contact details up-to-date with the Department of Human Services. Couples and families need to register for the Medicare Safety Net, even if all your family members are listed on your Medicare card.
For Safety Net purposes, a family consists of:
- a couple legally married and not separated, or a couple in a de facto relationship, with or without dependent children
- a single person with dependent children.
Each family member needs to be identified so their medical costs can be counted towards your family’s Medicare Safety Net. You only need to register once. Registration is free.
If you are registered as a family or a couple, your medical costs are combined so that you are more likely to reach a threshold sooner.
Once an individual, family or couple reaches a threshold, all further out-of-hospital claims made for that calendar year may automatically attract a higher benefit. To register for the Medicare Safety Net, download a form from the Department of Human Services website or register online.
Phone: 13 20 11 (Medicare services)
Websites: Department of Human Services at www.humanservices.gov.au/safetynet
Department of Human Services at www.humanservices.gov.au/onlineservices (Online Services)
Visit: Your local Department of Human Services Service Centre
National Rural and Remote Health Infrastructure Program
The National Rural and Remote Health Infrastructure Program (NRRHIP) funds eligible applicants to improve access to health services in rural and remote communities where a lack of infrastructure is a barrier to establishing new health services or enhancing existing health services. Funding under the NRRHIP is allocated through competitive funding rounds for the provision of essential health infrastructure (capital works and/or purchase of equipment) in rural and remote communities with populations of up to 20,000. Funds are also provided to small rural private hospitals for strategic service planning.
Phone: 1800 780 939
Email: National Rural and Remote Health Infrastructure Program
Website: Department of Health and Ageing at www.health.gov.au/nrrhip
Top of page
Pharmaceuticals—Repatriation Card holders
The Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) provides a wide range of pharmaceuticals and dressings at a concessional rate to treat eligible veterans, war widow(er)s and their dependants. The RPBS allows you access to all items in the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits (SPB) available to the general community under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and an additional list contained in the Repatriation Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits (RSPB) which is available only to veterans and war widow(er)s.
If you have a Gold Card, you can obtain pharmaceuticals under the RPBS for all your medical conditions.
If you have a White Card, you can obtain pharmaceuticals under the RPBS for your accepted disabilities. If you are an Australian veteran you are also covered for malignant cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis and post-traumatic stress disorder. Medicines for the treatment of your other conditions are available under the PBS at the general rate, or at the concession rate if you are the holder of Pensioner Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card or Health Care Card.
If you have a Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Card (Orange Card) you can obtain pharmaceuticals under the RPBS for all medical conditions. The Orange Card does not entitle you to any medical or other health care treatment.
You need to show the pharmacist your Gold, White, or Orange Card to receive medicines on the RPBS at the concessional patient contribution rate.
Phone: 13 32 54 (veterans—capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (veterans—regional callers)
Website: Department of Veterans' Affairs at www.dva.gov.au
Practice Incentives Program General Practitioner Aged Care Access Incentive
The Practice Incentives Program (PIP) General Practitioner Aged Care Access Incentive aims to encourage GPs who work for a registered PIP practice to provide increased and continuing services in Australian Government-funded residential aged care facilities.Phone: 1800 222 032 (Medicare services)
Email: Department of Human Services
Website: Department of Human Services at www.humanservices.gov.au/healthprofessionals
Postal: Department of Human Services
Practice Incentives Program
GPO Box 2572
Adelaide SA 5001
Top of page
Private health insurance
You may purchase private health insurance to cover some of the costs of health care as a private patient.There are two types of private health insurance cover available: hospital treatment cover and general treatment (‘ancillary’ or ‘extras’) cover.
Hospital insurance covers all or some of the costs of hospital treatment as a private patient including doctor’s charges and hospital accommodation. It does not usually cover treatment in an emergency department or other types of treatment where you are not ‘admitted’ to hospital. This applies when you are a private patient in a public or private hospital or day hospital facility.
General treatment cover helps with the cost of services such as physiotherapy, dental and optical treatment. Some private health insurers offer packaged products that cover both hospital and ancillary services.
Generally, the more extensive the health cover, the greater the contribution rate or ‘premium’. When choosing your private health cover it is important to make sure it suits your particular needs, as well as your budget. Health insurers should provide you with the information to make an informed choice about a private health insurance cover that is appropriate for you. There are Standard Information Statements available for every PHI product at the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman at www.privatehealth.gov.au.
Lifetime Health Cover
Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading is a financial loading that may be payable in addition to the premium for your PHI hospital cover.If you purchase hospital cover earlier in life, and keep it, you will pay lower premiums compared with someone who joins when they are older.
LHC loadings apply only to hospital cover. They do not apply to private health insurance general treatment cover. LHC encourages younger people to join, which helps make premiums more affordable for all members Australia-wide.
To avoid paying a LHC loading, you need to purchase hospital cover by 1 July following your 31st birthday.
If you purchase hospital cover after this date you may be required to pay a LHC loading—two per cent for each year you are over 30. For example, if you wait until you are 40, you could be paying an extra 20 per cent on the cost of your hospital cover. If you wait until you are 50, you could pay 40 per cent more—and so on, up to a maximum of 70 per cent.
Phone: 1800 307 446 (Lifetime Health Cover Helpline)
(02) 6289 9853 (private health insurance Helpline)
1300 737 299 (www.privatehealth.gov.au Helpline)
Email: Private Health Insurance Ombudsman
Website: Private Health Insurance Ombudsman at www.privatehealth.gov.au
Postal: Department of Health and Ageing
Private Health Insurance Branch
MDP 853
GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601
Top of page
Private Health Insurance Rebate
The Australian Government provides a rebate on private health insurance.You may claim the private health insurance rebate if you are eligible for Medicare and have private health insurance that covers hospital treatment, general treatment, or both. To receive the rebate, your private health insurance must be a Complying Health Insurance Product (CHIP).
From 1 July 2012, the rebate and the Medicare levy surcharge (MLS) will be income tested. This means the level of rebate you are entitled to claim or the rate of MLS you are required to pay, will depend on you or your family’s income for MLS purposes.
Phone: 13 28 61 (Australian Taxation Office Individual Infoline)
1300 554 463 (TTY) (Medicare services)
Websites: Department of Human Services at www.humanservices.gov.au/medicare
Australian Taxation Office at www.ato.gov.au/individuals
Quality Use of Medicines Program—veterans
The rapidly ageing veteran community typically has more health problems, more complex medical conditions and tends to be more reliant on medicines than the general community.Department of Veterans’ Affairs programs such as the Veterans’ Medicines Advice and Therapeutics Education Services program (Veterans’ MATES) and the Dose Administration Aid (DAA) service aim to help veterans take medicines wisely. They are designed to reduce medication misadventure in the veteran community and (any) subsequent hospitalisation.
Phone: 13 32 54 (veterans—capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (veterans—regional callers)
Website: Department of Veterans' Affairs at www.dva.gov.au
Postal: Department of Veterans' Affairs
GPO Box 9998
Canberra ACT 2601
Top of page
Repatriation Transport Scheme
You may qualify for assistance with your travelling expenses to attend a health provider for medical treatment within Australia. If you have a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card, you may receive assistance with travel expenses to treat all medical conditions. If you have a White Card, you may receive assistance for travel expenses to treat specified conditions.You may receive reimbursement for:
- the use of a private motor vehicle or public or community transport
- a taxi or booked car with driver, ambulance or air travel where this type of transport is necessary
- parking expenses
- accommodation and meals.
In some circumstances your transport will be arranged through the Booked Car with Driver (BCWD) service. With certain exceptions, this service is restricted to travel to the specific treatment locations.
The approved locations for all eligible veterans include:
- former Repatriation General Hospitals
- public and approved private hospitals
- providers of prosthetics, surgical footwear and orthotics
- Office of Hearing Services accredited providers
- medical specialist rooms
- radiology, imaging and pathology services.
- Local Medical Officers and general practitioners
- dental providers
- allied health services (other than those mentioned above)
- optical dispensers
- Veterans and Veterans’ Families Counselling Service (VVCS).
1800 555 254 (veterans—regional callers)
Website: Department of Veterans' Affairs at www.dva.gov.au
Postal: Department of Veterans' Affairs
GPO Box 9998
Canberra ACT 2601
Rural and Regional Health Australia Information Service
The Rural and Regional Health Australia Information Service provides information about Australian Government rural health and aged care programs and services.Phone: 1800 899 538 (Rural and Regional Health Australia Information Service)
Email: Rural and Regional Health Australia
Website: Rural and Regional Health Australia at www.ruralhealthaustralia.gov.au
Postal: Rural and Regional Health Australia
MDP 1053
Department of Health and Ageing
GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601
Rural Primary Health Services
Rural Primary Health Services provide primary and allied health care in about 1,700 rural or remote communities. Health services provided to meet the needs of older people may include community nursing, mental health, social work and counselling, health promotion and education, palliative care, drug and alcohol services, dietetics, podiatry, physiotherapy, and speech and occupational therapy. The actual services provided depend on the identified needs of each community.Phone: 1800 899 538
Email: Rural and Regional Health Australia
Website: Rural and Regional Health Australia at www.ruralhealthaustralia.gov.au
Top of page
Rural Women’s GP Service
The Rural Women’s GP Service (RWGPS) funds the travel of female GPs to eligible communities in all states and the Northern Territory to conduct general practice clinics. All consultations with a RWGPS doctor are provided at no cost to the patient. Depending on the community’s size and needs, the GP may visit anywhere between monthly and six-monthly.
The RWGPS is completely confidential. It allows women to see a female GP about a range of health and wellbeing issues including:
- pap smears
- breast checks
- contraception
- sexual health
- mental health
- domestic violence.
Phone: (02) 8259 8100 (RFDS National Office—general enquiries)
Website: Royal Flying Doctor Service at www.flyingdoctor.org.au
Veterans' cards
Gold Cards
Your Repatriation Health Card - for all Conditions (Gold Card) identifies you as being eligible for treatment of all your health conditions through the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), according to your assessed clinical need. You will not be charged for any treatment received in Australia as long as your health care provider agrees to treat you under DVA arrangements. You may be required to contribute towards the cost of pharmaceutical items, nursing home care and certain dental and optical services.If you intend to travel overseas, you should contact DVA to check your treatment eligibility while you are away.
Only certain categories of veterans from Australia’s Defence Force, their war widow(er)s, eligible dependants and eligible young people qualify for this card.
Phone: 13 32 54 (veterans - capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (veterans - regional callers)
Email: Department of Veterans' Affairs
Website: Department of Veterans' Affairs at www.dva.gov.au
Postal: Department of Veterans' Affairs
PO Box 9998
Canberra ACT 2601
Top of page
Orange Card
Your Orange Card (Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Card) identifies you as being eligible for subsidised pharmaceuticals and medicines under the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS). The range of subsidised pharmaceutical items available with your Orange Card is much wider than that available to the general public through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.You may be eligible for an Orange Card if you are a Commonwealth or allied veteran or mariner and you:
- have qualifying service from World War I or World War II
- are aged 70 years or more
- have lived in Australia for ten years or more.
1800 555 254 (veterans - regional callers)
Email: Department of Veterans' Affairs
Website: Department of Veterans' Affairs at www.dva.gov.au
Postal: Department of Veterans' Affairs
PO Box 9998
Canberra ACT 2601
White Card
Your Repatriation Health Card—for Specific Conditions (White Card) identifies you as being eligible for treatment of specific conditions through DVA, according to assessed clinical need. You will not be charged for any treatment received for your specific condition as long as your health care provider agrees to treat you under DVA arrangements. You may be required to contribute towards the cost of pharmaceutical items, nursing home care and certain dental and optical services.The White Card is issued to Australian veterans, mariners and former members of Australia's defence force with:
- an accepted war or service-caused injury or disease
- malignant cancer (neoplasia), whether war-caused or not
- pulmonary tuberculosis, whether war-caused or not
- post-traumatic stress disorder, whether war-caused or not
- anxiety and/or depression, whether war-caused or not.
Phone: 13 32 54 (veterans - capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (veterans - regional callers)
Email: Department of Veterans' Affairs
Website: Department of Veterans' Affairs at www.dva.gov.au
Postal: Department of Veterans' Affairs
PO Box 9998
Canberra ACT 2601
Top of page