Our work related to health technologies and digital health

Signed by all Australian governments, the 2020–25 Addendum to National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA) aims to improve health outcomes for all Australians and ensure our health system is sustainable.

This process developed recommendations to include the patient and consumer voice earlier in the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) process.

Learn about how the Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) Review Advisory Committee (MRAC) is reviewing the 1 August 2020 changes to ECG MBS items.

Electronic prescribing is now widely available in the community setting. It provides an option for healthcare providers and consumers to use an electronic prescription as an alternative to paper prescriptions. Paper prescriptions are still available.

The Genomics Health Futures Mission is investing $500.1 million in genomic research. It will improve testing and diagnosis for many diseases, help personalise treatment options to better target and improve health outcomes. It will also reduce unnecessary interventions and health costs.

We are enhancing the Health Products Portal (HPP) to provide a single digital channel for industry to interact with us about regulated and reimbursed health-related products and services.

The HTA Review examined Australia’s approach to HTA to determine what works well and what needs to improve to meet future challenges. The aim was to ensure Australians can continue to access effective, safe and affordable health technologies in an equitable and timely way.

We are making changes to provide better and faster access to pathology and diagnostic imaging reports in My Health Record. These changes will ensure consumers and their healthcare providers have better access to key health information when and where it is needed.

The Real Time Prescription Monitoring (RTPM) is a nationally implemented system, designed to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of controlled medicines with the aim of reducing their misuse in Australia.

The Stoma Appliance Scheme provides free stoma appliances and products to people who have a stoma (ostomates). This helps them live their lives normally without added financial stress. Find out how the scheme works, how to access it and how to get a product on the schedule.