Hon Nick Goiran questions the WA government regarding amendments to health service fees and charges related to PBS co-payments. The government clarifies the amendments were necessary to align with Commonwealth PBS changes, enabling reimbursement for medications dispensed at public hospitals.

AnsweredQoN 1102Legislative Council
Asked
15 November 2022
Portfolio
Health; Mental Health

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Health Services (Fees and Charges) Amendment Order 2022, and I ask: (a) what
was the catalyst for bringing about these amendments to the regulations; (b) who
was consulted prior to these amendment regulations being finalised; (c) did
any person consulted raise any concerns; (d) if
yes to (c), what were these concerns; (e) have
the finalised amendment regulations addressed these concerns; and (f) if
no to (e), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
14 February 2023
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Health; Mental Health
Response time
9 days
(a) The State participates in the Pharmaceutical Reforms Arrangements by way of agreement with the Commonwealth, allowing Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescriptions to be written and dispensed at public hospitals.  Under the agreement, public hospitals can be reimbursed by the Commonwealth for medicines supplied to outpatients and inpatients upon discharge if they charge patients co-payments in line with the PBS. The PBS co-payment amounts reflected in the Health Services (Fees and Charges) Amendment Order 2022 were changed by the Commonwealth on 1 January 2022.
(b) The Commonwealth’s Department of Health advises the WA Department of Health of the changes to the PBS co-payments.
(c) - (d) Not applicable.
(e) - (f) Not applicable.

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