❓ Hon Ken Baston questions the standard outpatient fee for non-essential medical care in WA public hospitals, particularly regarding cost recovery and accessibility for remote patients. The Minister indicates the fee is below cost recovery and waivers are available.
AnsweredQoN 1029Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
OUTPATIENT NON-ESSENTIAL MEDICAL CARE — FEE
1029. Hon KEN BASTON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the standard fee of $280
for an outpatient appointment at a public hospital for non-essential medical
care as outlined in the ''WA Health Patient Fees and Charges Manual''.
(1) Is the $280 standard fee for
this service set at, or above, cost recovery level?
(2) Will the
minister consider using a ministerial order to reduce this fee for patients who
live in remote areas and who have no other option than to access WA Health for
such appointments?
1029. Hon KEN BASTON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the standard fee of $280
for an outpatient appointment at a public hospital for non-essential medical
care as outlined in the ''WA Health Patient Fees and Charges Manual''.
(1) Is the $280 standard fee for
this service set at, or above, cost recovery level?
(2) Will the
minister consider using a ministerial order to reduce this fee for patients who
live in remote areas and who have no other option than to access WA Health for
such appointments?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) No. The fee is below cost
recovery.
(2) Existing
provisions within the Health Services Act 2016—section 33(6)—allow
for fees to be waived by a health service provider board when it considers it
is reasonable to do so having regard to the individual circumstances of the
case.
some notice of the question.
(1) No. The fee is below cost
recovery.
(2) Existing
provisions within the Health Services Act 2016—section 33(6)—allow
for fees to be waived by a health service provider board when it considers it
is reasonable to do so having regard to the individual circumstances of the
case.
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