Page 2325 - Week 06 - Thursday, 7 June 2018
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(v) 17 applications for waiver due to exceptional circumstances were approved by the Chief Officer of the ACT Ambulance Service in the 2016-17 financial year.
The remaining 21 per cent is made up of additional billable categories which are not charged to the user. This includes inter-hospital transfers, or transfers by the Health Patient transfer vehicle, and other non-billable categories such as interstate concession card holders covered under reciprocal arrangements or attendance to deceased persons.
(2) (a) 17 applications were received in the 2016-17 financial year, seeking exemption from ambulance fees on the grounds of financial hardship.
(b) All 17 waiver applications were approved by the Chief Officer of the ACT Ambulance Service. These all related to financial duress or a combination of financial duress and exceptional personal circumstances.
(3) 23 per cent of ambulance fees from the 2016-17 financial year are deemed to be unpaid or overdue.
Ambulance customers are expected to repay the debt owed in the shortest timeframe possible, given their particular circumstances. See response to Question on Notice number 1368.
ACT Ambulance Service—fees
(Question No 1373)
Mr Coe asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, upon notice, on 11 May 2018:
(1) Do ACT residents currently have the option of becoming “members” of the ACT Ambulance Service by directly paying a subscription fee in lieu of paying a one-off ambulance fee or having private health insurance.
(2) Has this option previously existed in the ACT.
(3) How does this compare with other States.
Mr Gentleman: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) ACT residents do not currently have the option of becoming “members” of the ACT Ambulance Service.
(2) This option has previously existed in the ACT. It was managed in conjunction with a private insurance provider, however, it was not financially viable for either the ACT Ambulance Service or the private insurance provider, and it was ceased around 2006.
(3) The South Australian Ambulance Service, Ambulance Service Victoria, St John Ambulance Service Northern Territory and some St John Ambulance Service Western Australia country sub-centres operate their own benefit funds. The Ambulance Service of New South Wales, the ACT Ambulance Service and St John Western Australia (excluding some country area sub centres) do not operate their own benefit funds.
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