Government moves on eye injection costs

Following extensive consultation, the Australian Government has decided not to reclassify intravitreal eye injections (IVI) as out of hospital services, protecting out of pocket costs for patients.
 
This means for those patients currently receiving these injections in private hospitals, there will be no change to their ability to make private health insurance claims for the procedures.
 
In addition all patients receiving IVI services will continue to access MBS rebates, regardless of whether they have their injections in or out of hospital. And this will remain the case, regardless of the private health insurance procedure type.
 
The Australian Government has listened to feedback from patients who could have been disadvantaged by the reclassification.
 
These patients could have faced higher out of pocket costs for out of hospital IVI services, as their private health insurance would no longer cover part of the costs.
 
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
 
“Eye injections are regularly needed for people with macular degeneration.
 
“I heard from many older Australians that these changes would have meant higher out of pocket costs and that’s why I initially paused the change.
 
“After reviewing and listening to the views of older Australians, we will no longer be proceed with the change so people can continue with their existing arrangements with their existing clinician and won’t see an increase in their out-of-pocket costs.”