❓ Following HBF's withdrawal of ambulance cover, the government outlines steps to ensure senior citizens are not disadvantaged, including free ambulance travel for aged pensioners and a 50% concession for other seniors over 65, effective July 1st.
AnsweredQoN 69Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Following the withdrawal of ambulance cover by HBF, and given that my electorate comprises a large proportion of seniors, will the minister outline what steps the government is taking to ensure that senior citizens in Western Australia are not disadvantaged? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for both his strong personal interest in senior citizens and his question. For many years, seniors in Western Australia have enjoyed ambulance cover as part of their health insurance. It is disappointing that HBF is withdrawing that cover. During the election campaign, the government promised to provide free ambulance travel for aged pensioners and a 50 per cent concession for seniors aged 65 and over. We are now delivering on that election promise. We have committed $14 million a year to provide this cover for our senior citizens, effective 1 July this year. Western Australia has approximately 160 000 aged pensioners and 62 500 seniors aged over 65 who do not receive a pension. The government estimates that in the 2005-06 financial year, more than 60 000 aged pensioners and seniors will require ambulance transport. Although St John Ambulance fees are among the lowest in the nation, an ambulance trip can cost between $271 and $499. St John Ambulance currently provides a 50 per cent concession to all Western Australian aged pensioners. Aged pensioners with HBF, or those who were covered by the St John Ambulance benefit fund, could generally expect the remaining cost to be meet by HBF. Under the new arrangements, the state government will match St John Ambulance’s 50 per cent discount so that all aged pensioners receive ambulance services free of charge. For senior citizens over 65 who are not pensioners, the government will provide a 50 per cent rebate irrespective of whether they are privately insured. One of the issues we have to deal with is that ambulance services will be provided on a free or subsidised basis only where it is deemed medically necessary for a person to be cared for while being transported to a hospital or other approved medical facility. In addition to emergency cases, ambulances can be used for patients such as those who are confused, whose condition is unstable, who require a stretcher and oxygen, and who require the skills on an ambulance officer. In all other cases, less costly alternatives than ambulances, such as patient transport vehicles or disabled taxis, will be used to provide for patient transport. A protocol will be developed between the government and St John Ambulance covering the types of vehicles that will be deployed in non-urgent situations. Although HBF withdrew its cover on 1 April, in its negotiations and discussions with the government the insurer has ensured that people will not be disadvantaged by having to meet the costs of ambulance charges between now and 1 July 2005.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for both his strong personal interest in senior citizens and his question. For many years, seniors in Western Australia have enjoyed ambulance cover as part of their health insurance. It is disappointing that HBF is withdrawing that cover. During the election campaign, the government promised to provide free ambulance travel for aged pensioners and a 50 per cent concession for seniors aged 65 and over. We are now delivering on that election promise. We have committed $14 million a year to provide this cover for our senior citizens, effective 1 July this year. Western Australia has approximately 160 000 aged pensioners and 62 500 seniors aged over 65 who do not receive a pension. The government estimates that in the 2005-06 financial year, more than 60 000 aged pensioners and seniors will require ambulance transport. Although St John Ambulance fees are among the lowest in the nation, an ambulance trip can cost between $271 and $499. St John Ambulance currently provides a 50 per cent concession to all Western Australian aged pensioners. Aged pensioners with HBF, or those who were covered by the St John Ambulance benefit fund, could generally expect the remaining cost to be meet by HBF. Under the new arrangements, the state government will match St John Ambulance’s 50 per cent discount so that all aged pensioners receive ambulance services free of charge. For senior citizens over 65 who are not pensioners, the government will provide a 50 per cent rebate irrespective of whether they are privately insured. One of the issues we have to deal with is that ambulance services will be provided on a free or subsidised basis only where it is deemed medically necessary for a person to be cared for while being transported to a hospital or other approved medical facility. In addition to emergency cases, ambulances can be used for patients such as those who are confused, whose condition is unstable, who require a stretcher and oxygen, and who require the skills on an ambulance officer. In all other cases, less costly alternatives than ambulances, such as patient transport vehicles or disabled taxis, will be used to provide for patient transport. A protocol will be developed between the government and St John Ambulance covering the types of vehicles that will be deployed in non-urgent situations. Although HBF withdrew its cover on 1 April, in its negotiations and discussions with the government the insurer has ensured that people will not be disadvantaged by having to meet the costs of ambulance charges between now and 1 July 2005.
I thank the member for both his strong personal interest in senior citizens and his question. For many years, seniors in Western Australia have enjoyed ambulance cover as part of their health insurance. It is disappointing that HBF is withdrawing that cover. During the election campaign, the government promised to provide free ambulance travel for aged pensioners and a 50 per cent concession for seniors aged 65 and over. We are now delivering on that election promise. We have committed $14 million a year to provide this cover for our senior citizens, effective 1 July this year. Western Australia has approximately 160 000 aged pensioners and 62 500 seniors aged over 65 who do not receive a pension. The government estimates that in the 2005-06 financial year, more than 60 000 aged pensioners and seniors will require ambulance transport. Although St John Ambulance fees are among the lowest in the nation, an ambulance trip can cost between $271 and $499. St John Ambulance currently provides a 50 per cent concession to all Western Australian aged pensioners. Aged pensioners with HBF, or those who were covered by the St John Ambulance benefit fund, could generally expect the remaining cost to be meet by HBF. Under the new arrangements, the state government will match St John Ambulance’s 50 per cent discount so that all aged pensioners receive ambulance services free of charge. For senior citizens over 65 who are not pensioners, the government will provide a 50 per cent rebate irrespective of whether they are privately insured. One of the issues we have to deal with is that ambulance services will be provided on a free or subsidised basis only where it is deemed medically necessary for a person to be cared for while being transported to a hospital or other approved medical facility. In addition to emergency cases, ambulances can be used for patients such as those who are confused, whose condition is unstable, who require a stretcher and oxygen, and who require the skills on an ambulance officer. In all other cases, less costly alternatives than ambulances, such as patient transport vehicles or disabled taxis, will be used to provide for patient transport. A protocol will be developed between the government and St John Ambulance covering the types of vehicles that will be deployed in non-urgent situations. Although HBF withdrew its cover on 1 April, in its negotiations and discussions with the government the insurer has ensured that people will not be disadvantaged by having to meet the costs of ambulance charges between now and 1 July 2005.
For many years, seniors in Western Australia have enjoyed ambulance cover as part of their health insurance. It is disappointing that HBF is withdrawing that cover. During the election campaign, the government promised to provide free ambulance travel for aged pensioners and a 50 per cent concession for seniors aged 65 and over. We are now delivering on that election promise. We have committed $14 million a year to provide this cover for our senior citizens, effective 1 July this year. Western Australia has approximately 160 000 aged pensioners and 62 500 seniors aged over 65 who do not receive a pension. The government estimates that in the 2005-06 financial year, more than 60 000 aged pensioners and seniors will require ambulance transport. Although St John Ambulance fees are among the lowest in the nation, an ambulance trip can cost between $271 and $499. St John Ambulance currently provides a 50 per cent concession to all Western Australian aged pensioners. Aged pensioners with HBF, or those who were covered by the St John Ambulance benefit fund, could generally expect the remaining cost to be meet by HBF. Under the new arrangements, the state government will match St John Ambulance’s 50 per cent discount so that all aged pensioners receive ambulance services free of charge. For senior citizens over 65 who are not pensioners, the government will provide a 50 per cent rebate irrespective of whether they are privately insured. One of the issues we have to deal with is that ambulance services will be provided on a free or subsidised basis only where it is deemed medically necessary for a person to be cared for while being transported to a hospital or other approved medical facility. In addition to emergency cases, ambulances can be used for patients such as those who are confused, whose condition is unstable, who require a stretcher and oxygen, and who require the skills on an ambulance officer. In all other cases, less costly alternatives than ambulances, such as patient transport vehicles or disabled taxis, will be used to provide for patient transport. A protocol will be developed between the government and St John Ambulance covering the types of vehicles that will be deployed in non-urgent situations. Although HBF withdrew its cover on 1 April, in its negotiations and discussions with the government the insurer has ensured that people will not be disadvantaged by having to meet the costs of ambulance charges between now and 1 July 2005.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for both his strong personal interest in senior citizens and his question. For many years, seniors in Western Australia have enjoyed ambulance cover as part of their health insurance. It is disappointing that HBF is withdrawing that cover. During the election campaign, the government promised to provide free ambulance travel for aged pensioners and a 50 per cent concession for seniors aged 65 and over. We are now delivering on that election promise. We have committed $14 million a year to provide this cover for our senior citizens, effective 1 July this year. Western Australia has approximately 160 000 aged pensioners and 62 500 seniors aged over 65 who do not receive a pension. The government estimates that in the 2005-06 financial year, more than 60 000 aged pensioners and seniors will require ambulance transport. Although St John Ambulance fees are among the lowest in the nation, an ambulance trip can cost between $271 and $499. St John Ambulance currently provides a 50 per cent concession to all Western Australian aged pensioners. Aged pensioners with HBF, or those who were covered by the St John Ambulance benefit fund, could generally expect the remaining cost to be meet by HBF. Under the new arrangements, the state government will match St John Ambulance’s 50 per cent discount so that all aged pensioners receive ambulance services free of charge. For senior citizens over 65 who are not pensioners, the government will provide a 50 per cent rebate irrespective of whether they are privately insured. One of the issues we have to deal with is that ambulance services will be provided on a free or subsidised basis only where it is deemed medically necessary for a person to be cared for while being transported to a hospital or other approved medical facility. In addition to emergency cases, ambulances can be used for patients such as those who are confused, whose condition is unstable, who require a stretcher and oxygen, and who require the skills on an ambulance officer. In all other cases, less costly alternatives than ambulances, such as patient transport vehicles or disabled taxis, will be used to provide for patient transport. A protocol will be developed between the government and St John Ambulance covering the types of vehicles that will be deployed in non-urgent situations. Although HBF withdrew its cover on 1 April, in its negotiations and discussions with the government the insurer has ensured that people will not be disadvantaged by having to meet the costs of ambulance charges between now and 1 July 2005.
I thank the member for both his strong personal interest in senior citizens and his question. For many years, seniors in Western Australia have enjoyed ambulance cover as part of their health insurance. It is disappointing that HBF is withdrawing that cover. During the election campaign, the government promised to provide free ambulance travel for aged pensioners and a 50 per cent concession for seniors aged 65 and over. We are now delivering on that election promise. We have committed $14 million a year to provide this cover for our senior citizens, effective 1 July this year. Western Australia has approximately 160 000 aged pensioners and 62 500 seniors aged over 65 who do not receive a pension. The government estimates that in the 2005-06 financial year, more than 60 000 aged pensioners and seniors will require ambulance transport. Although St John Ambulance fees are among the lowest in the nation, an ambulance trip can cost between $271 and $499. St John Ambulance currently provides a 50 per cent concession to all Western Australian aged pensioners. Aged pensioners with HBF, or those who were covered by the St John Ambulance benefit fund, could generally expect the remaining cost to be meet by HBF. Under the new arrangements, the state government will match St John Ambulance’s 50 per cent discount so that all aged pensioners receive ambulance services free of charge. For senior citizens over 65 who are not pensioners, the government will provide a 50 per cent rebate irrespective of whether they are privately insured. One of the issues we have to deal with is that ambulance services will be provided on a free or subsidised basis only where it is deemed medically necessary for a person to be cared for while being transported to a hospital or other approved medical facility. In addition to emergency cases, ambulances can be used for patients such as those who are confused, whose condition is unstable, who require a stretcher and oxygen, and who require the skills on an ambulance officer. In all other cases, less costly alternatives than ambulances, such as patient transport vehicles or disabled taxis, will be used to provide for patient transport. A protocol will be developed between the government and St John Ambulance covering the types of vehicles that will be deployed in non-urgent situations. Although HBF withdrew its cover on 1 April, in its negotiations and discussions with the government the insurer has ensured that people will not be disadvantaged by having to meet the costs of ambulance charges between now and 1 July 2005.
For many years, seniors in Western Australia have enjoyed ambulance cover as part of their health insurance. It is disappointing that HBF is withdrawing that cover. During the election campaign, the government promised to provide free ambulance travel for aged pensioners and a 50 per cent concession for seniors aged 65 and over. We are now delivering on that election promise. We have committed $14 million a year to provide this cover for our senior citizens, effective 1 July this year. Western Australia has approximately 160 000 aged pensioners and 62 500 seniors aged over 65 who do not receive a pension. The government estimates that in the 2005-06 financial year, more than 60 000 aged pensioners and seniors will require ambulance transport. Although St John Ambulance fees are among the lowest in the nation, an ambulance trip can cost between $271 and $499. St John Ambulance currently provides a 50 per cent concession to all Western Australian aged pensioners. Aged pensioners with HBF, or those who were covered by the St John Ambulance benefit fund, could generally expect the remaining cost to be meet by HBF. Under the new arrangements, the state government will match St John Ambulance’s 50 per cent discount so that all aged pensioners receive ambulance services free of charge. For senior citizens over 65 who are not pensioners, the government will provide a 50 per cent rebate irrespective of whether they are privately insured. One of the issues we have to deal with is that ambulance services will be provided on a free or subsidised basis only where it is deemed medically necessary for a person to be cared for while being transported to a hospital or other approved medical facility. In addition to emergency cases, ambulances can be used for patients such as those who are confused, whose condition is unstable, who require a stretcher and oxygen, and who require the skills on an ambulance officer. In all other cases, less costly alternatives than ambulances, such as patient transport vehicles or disabled taxis, will be used to provide for patient transport. A protocol will be developed between the government and St John Ambulance covering the types of vehicles that will be deployed in non-urgent situations. Although HBF withdrew its cover on 1 April, in its negotiations and discussions with the government the insurer has ensured that people will not be disadvantaged by having to meet the costs of ambulance charges between now and 1 July 2005.
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