❓ Hon Martin Aldridge asks about fees for medical assessments for senior drivers in regional WA, particularly within WACHS. The Minister responds, addressing fee waivers, qualifications for assessors, and the cost of waiving all fees.
AnsweredQoN 1727Legislative Council
Asked
31 October 2018
Member
Portfolio
Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to Legislative Council question without notice No. 1030 in relation to annual medical assessments required for those 80 years of age and older, and I ask, will the Minister please table the WA Health Patient Fees and Charges Manual 2018-19 ? (2) What is the average time for WA Country Health Service (WACHS) to complete such an assessment? (3) What qualification is required to undertake the assessment? (4) What is the number of assessments undertaken by WACHS per annum and, if possible, by region? (5) How are patients informed of their ability to have the assessment fee waived? (6) Have any applications been made to the WACHS board for the fee to be waived? (7) What would be the cost to the State Government if it were to waive all fees relating to annual driver license health assessments? (8) Given this fee disproportionately impacts upon senior drivers living in regional and remote location without access to a private GP service, will the Minister commit to reviewing this arrangement?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
28 November 2018
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health
Response time
9 days
I am advised that:
(1) Yes. Please see tabled paper no.
(2) There is no minimum or maximum length of time allocated for this service. The charge is for an occasion of service.
(3) There is no specified health professional outlined within the Fitness to Drive guidelines provided by the National Transport Commission. These assessments are performed by medical practitioners who are required to be registered with the Medical Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority. The name and type of qualification required to be granted registration varies and therefore it is not possible to list all qualifications.
(4) A preliminary review of records indicates that approximately 210 medical examinations for driver’s licences (commercial and private) have been performed at Kimberley sites since 2011. This equates to an average of 23 assessments per year.
(5) The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) may consider a request received following the issuing of an invoice.
(6) No, however it has subsequently been identified WACHS Kimberley incorrectly applied charges on 18 occasions since 2011 at Derby and Fitzroy Crossing. Reimbursements are being arranged to all incorrectly charged patients.
(7) In metropolitan and regional areas where GP services are available a person over 80 would normally go to their local GP to obtain a medical check for a driver’s license renewal and would not go to a public hospital for this service. In some remote regional areas there is no access to GP clinics. Exemptions under s19(2) of the Health Insurance Act 1973 allow exempted eligible sites, to claim against the Medicare Benefits Schedule for non-admitted, non-referred professional services provided in emergency departments and outpatient clinic settings. A waiver of costs would then not be required as Medicare benefits are payable to patients that undergo an age or health related medical examination to obtain or renew a licence to drive a private motor vehicle at exempted eligible sites.
(8) Please refer to the response to question (6).
(1) Yes. Please see tabled paper no.
(2) There is no minimum or maximum length of time allocated for this service. The charge is for an occasion of service.
(3) There is no specified health professional outlined within the Fitness to Drive guidelines provided by the National Transport Commission. These assessments are performed by medical practitioners who are required to be registered with the Medical Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority. The name and type of qualification required to be granted registration varies and therefore it is not possible to list all qualifications.
(4) A preliminary review of records indicates that approximately 210 medical examinations for driver’s licences (commercial and private) have been performed at Kimberley sites since 2011. This equates to an average of 23 assessments per year.
(5) The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) may consider a request received following the issuing of an invoice.
(6) No, however it has subsequently been identified WACHS Kimberley incorrectly applied charges on 18 occasions since 2011 at Derby and Fitzroy Crossing. Reimbursements are being arranged to all incorrectly charged patients.
(7) In metropolitan and regional areas where GP services are available a person over 80 would normally go to their local GP to obtain a medical check for a driver’s license renewal and would not go to a public hospital for this service. In some remote regional areas there is no access to GP clinics. Exemptions under s19(2) of the Health Insurance Act 1973 allow exempted eligible sites, to claim against the Medicare Benefits Schedule for non-admitted, non-referred professional services provided in emergency departments and outpatient clinic settings. A waiver of costs would then not be required as Medicare benefits are payable to patients that undergo an age or health related medical examination to obtain or renew a licence to drive a private motor vehicle at exempted eligible sites.
(8) Please refer to the response to question (6).
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