Regional and Rural Information forums - We want your feedback!

I believe Vic patients need to travel 100k+ per trip or 500k in a week to qualify - that seems excessive.  It is 200k/week in NSW, or any individual trip that is in excess of 100k.  In Qld, it is 50k!

Here is an updated PDF on the different PATS schemes around Australia as at July 2023, the last 2 pages have links to each state's travel scheme: 
https://www.ruralhealth.org.au/sites/default/files/publications/pats-fact-sheet-and-guide-2023.pdf

Here are the IPTAAS (NSW) guidelines for claiming

IPTAAS-Assessment-Guidelines.pdf

Here are Some areas that I believe need to be looked at in ALL STATES (and advocated for):

1) ALL family members on the one Medicare Card should be 'assessable' for the Mileage 'limit' ..... Currently in NSW, the 200k 'limit' per week (or 100k+ per trip before you can claim) is per PERSON ..... whereas multiple other trips made by other family members within the same time frame for treatment/appointments aren't allowed to be included in the 200k - but if added to the other family member's treatment travels, it is more than likely to make up the 200k+.   
This happened numerous times to my husband & I for our different appointments.

2) The Specialists referrals from the GP for Cancer patients in particular (or anyone with a non curable disease) should be for the length of the disease - either the patient gets better and they stop seeing the specialist or they pass away.  Currently, you need to get another referral every 2 years (it used to be yearly.) It is just another unnecessary thing that needs doing ....

3) ALL specialist trips should be 'countable' ....  Earlier this year, NSW Health indicated that the 200k/week needs to only be for the ONE practitioner/medical service, not 2 or more different specialists on different days, even if it is for the one person (See item 1.)   Regional, rural and remote patients with chronic and/or terminal conditions often have to see more than one specialist for different conditions in the same week, in different destinations ..... yet this indicates you will NOT be reimbursed for other outings, just the one! 

4) Attending Clinical Trials is not covered at all!!

5) Apparently Dental Treatment/surgery (essential prior to some types of chemo) is also not covered - unless it is done in a hospital under anaesthetic (which just puts MORE stress on our already overloaded hospital systems.)   

ANY treatment that is essential for the patient 'post diagnosis' and requires travel outside of the home address should be covered so long as it falls within that 'km limit'.