PHI 55/24 Consultation on general use items – utilisation, expenditure and integrity

We have commenced a 6-week consultation to help develop an approach to addressing concerns about the growth in utilisation and expenditure associated with General Use Items, and to improve the integrity of the settings on the PL for these items.

Date published:
PHI circular type:
Prescribed List announcement
Audience:
Health sector

On 1 May 2024, we announced the Minister’s decision that general use items (GUI) will continue to be funded through the Prescribed List after 1 July 2024.

Following the announcement, concerns were raised by some stakeholders about the increasing growth in the use of GUI per episode of care, and the resulting increase in expenditure for these items. So, we are undertaking further consultation and engagement to improve our understanding of the factors that drive these concerns, and identify ways in which they might be addressed, particularly:

  • improving integrity of PL settings in the context of GUI
  • managing increase in GUI utilisation and subsequent growth in expenditure

We acknowledge that any measures implemented could have an impact on different stakeholders’ groups, and as such, we are interested in understanding all perspectives on this matter. We invite all stakeholders to complete our survey via the consultation hub.

In drafting your response, please provide as much detail and evidence as possible about the impacts as well as any options for consideration. All feedback is requested by 11:59 pm on Friday 20 September 2024.