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Hospital Circular 23/2010
Date Issued: 22 December 2010
Distribution: Public Hospitals
Subject: Pharmaceutical outpatient charges, PBS co-payments and Safety Net thresholds
Purpose: To advise hospitals of the pharmaceutical outpatient charges, PBS co-payments and Safety Net thresholds for 2011.
Hospitals not participating in the Australian Health Care Agreement Pharmaceutical Reforms
Pharmaceutical outpatient charges and Joint Safety Net thresholds
The Commonwealth has advised that effective 1 January 2011 the new patient co-payment for concession patients is $5.60, and the safety net threshold is $336.00.
The new level of patient co-payment for non-concessional (general) patients will be $27.40 and the safety net threshold is $1,317.20.
Hospitals are advised that they may record $5.60 for every eligible supply to concessional patients and $27.40 for every eligible supply to general patients, on the patient's Joint Safety Net Card.
Hospitals participating in the Australian Health Care Agreement-Pharmaceutical Reforms
PBS co-payments
From 1 January 2011 the co-payments for PBS listed items have been set as follows:
- Concession patients $5.60, safety net $336.00
- General patients: $34.20, safety net $1,317.20
- Non-PBS items: hospitals may charge up to cost price.
Hospitals participating in Pharmaceutical Reforms will be able to record $5.60 for every eligible supply to concessional patients on the patient's Safety Net Card. When recording supply to general patients, the "Maximum Recordable Value for Safety Net" (up to $34.20) as listed in the appropriate Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits, may be entered on the patient's Safety Net Card. Hospitals will also be able to record the cost price for supply of non-PBS items up to a maximum of $34.20.
Nicola Reinders
Acting Director
Integrated Care
Changes notified by hospital circular will be updated in the Guidelines on the Commonwealth/State Highly Specialised Drugs Program Guidelines website and the claim form amended.
