EmailHospital Circular 01/2001
Date Issued: 15 January 2001
Publication: 3/2001
Distribution: Public Hospitals
Subject: Patient charges for Transport Accident Commission cases
Purpose: To remind hospitals of Departmental policy in relation to Transport Accident Commission patients
It has recently come to the attention of the Department that some hospitals are redirecting charges for Transport Accident Commission patients to the Medicare system by offering patients the choice of either making a simple claim on Medicare, or undertaking the more complex Transport Accident Commission claim process.
Hospitals are reminded that, under the Transport Accident Act 1986, the Transport Accident Commission funds the medical expenses of patients injured in transport accidents, except in limited circumstances.
In order to access this funding, patients must fill in a Transport Accident Commission claim form. This claim will then be processed by the Transport Accident Commission, and service providers will be paid on acceptance. Payment through Medicare is appropriate only in cases where it is already known the accident would not be covered by the Transport Accident Commission, or when a claim is refused.
Redirecting hospital charges to Medicare has downstream effects for other State services by reducing the incentive for patients to complete claim forms. This results in additional and unnecessary calls on the Department's budget.
Hospitals are therefore directed to ensure that lodgement of a claim through the Transport Accident Commission is the first and preferred option for funding in cases where patients attend hospital as a result of a transport accident.
DR C W BROOK
DIRECTOR
ACUTE HEALTH
