Page 3362 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 12 October 1993

MINISTER FOR HEALTH

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION

QUESTION NO. 946

Workers Compensation Patients

Mrs Carnell - asked the Minister for Health:

1. Are the medical and hospital fees charged by ACT Health to workers

compensation patients the same as those charged to other patients.

2. If not, (a) how do they differ and (b) why do these differences occur.

3. Could a full list of charges for public patients, privately insured patients and

workers compensation patients for both medical and hospital services be

supplied.

4. What interest rate does ACT Health charge on overdue workers compensation

accounts and how was this interest rate arrived at.

Mr Berry - the answer to Mrs Carnells question is as follows:

1. No.

2.(a) Hospital inpatient accommodation for a Private patient is $191.00 per day.

Hospital accommodation for a Workers Compensation patient is $543.00 per

day.

Outpatient service fees for a Workers Compensation patient are $100.00 for the

first visit and $66.00 for the second and subsequent visit.

Patients with Third Party insurance claims and "non-eligible" (overseas visitor)

patients are charged the same as workers compensation patients.

Other patients are not charged.

Workers compensation patients are charged for Physiotherapy and Occupational

Therapy at a rate of $66.00 for each consultation.

Other patients are not charged.

2.(b) The difference occurs as the Commonwealth Government regulates

charges for private and public patients. Workers Compensation charges are

based on cost recovery. The Medicare Agreement between the Commonwealth

and States recognises the separate category of a "compensable" patient.

3. The Determination of Fees as charged, lists the charge for private

patients and compensable patients. Public patients are not charged. The

Australian Capital Territory Special Gazette No. S125, of Wednesday

30 June 1993 lists the Departments Determination of Fees and Charges.