Accessing Health Services: New Policy
A new national travel and accommodation policy for accessing specialist health services was announced recently. The new policy kicks in on 1 January 2006. It's designed to assist people who are referred by a publicly funded specialist to publicly funded specialist services outside their area. About 30,000 people nationwide get assistance under the current travel and accommodation policy; that figure's set to exceed 100,000 under the new scheme.
The scheme specifically targets those travelling long distances, those who incur high travel costs as a result of frequent specialist visits, and those finding it difficult to access specialist services because of low income. There are existing travel and accommodation schemes, but eligibility, reimbursement and administration vary between regions. The new policy standardises assistance across the country and provides consistency.
From 1 January HealthPAC will administer all claims, meaning claimants only have to call one toll free number for information, regardless of where in the country they live and where they need to travel. Those eligible can expect reimbursement within a few days of travel.
Q&As (taken from a government release)
What will it mean for existing clients?
From August existing clients can expect to be notified by mail about the changes. People who now claim assistance through their District Health Board will have to claim through HealthPAC from 1 January. Some people can expect changes to what is reimbursed.
Will reimbursement cover the full cost of travel? People will be able to claim the full cost of public transport and/or a contribution towards private mileage or accommodation. The scheme cannot cover all the costs associated with travel because the limited funding available needs to be prioritised among a range of needs in the health system.
What trips will I be able to claim travel assistance for? You can claim assistance for travel to appointments following two types of referrals if you meet the eligibility criteria in the policy (e.g., distance requirements). If you have a referral from a publicly funded specialist (e.g., at your local hospital) for an appointment with another publicly funded specialist service (e.g., a national specialty centre) you can claim assistance for travel. If a specialist (at any public facility) says you need to visit him or her again you will also be able to claim assistance.
What are the main changes to eligibility in the new policy?
- People aged 16 and 17 will be eligible for the same (higher) level of assistance as children under 16;
- a higher level of assistance will be available for children with a Community Services Card;
- people referred by a publicly funded specialist to publicly funded specialist services more than 350 km away from their homes will be eligible for assistance, regardless of how often they travel and even if they do not have a Community Services Card; and
- people who have to visit specialist services more than 25 times in two months will be eligible for assistance regardless of how far they have to travel and even if they do not have a Community Services Card.
How can I find out more? A toll free number will be able to provide information about the scheme closer to the time. Training seminars and manuals will be available for hospital social workers and other staff who will need to advise clients on the scheme from October. When the new scheme begins your hospital social worker will be able to provide brochures and registration forms.
Contact for Enquiries
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: 0800 00 83 33
Fax: +64 4 894 0720
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