MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has welcomed a commitment made yesterday by Deputy Premier Troy Grant and Health Minister Jillian Skinner to enhance the Isolated Patient Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) if re-elected.
“Over the past 20 months I have met with and received letters from many people across the region about the IPTAAS service and improvements that should be made,” Mr Marshall said. “I’m very pleased that the Minister has taken up the community’s suggestions and made some positive changes.”
Mr Marshall said the NSW Government’s enhancements to the IPTAAS scheme would include:
- An increase in the petrol subsidy from 19 cents to 22 cents per kilometre – a 15% increase;
- An increase in the commercial accommodation subsidy for eight to 14 night stays
– From $43 to $80 – an 86% boost (single room) per night
– From $60 to $105 – a 75% jump (double room) per night;
- An increase in the commercial accommodation subsidy for 15 night-plus stays
– From $43 to $105 – a 144% boost (single room) per night,
– From $60 to $120 – a 100% jump (double room) per night;
- A reduction in the patient co-payment from $40 to $30 – a 25% decrease;
- Claims for prosthetic services will be eligible; and
- Claims for some specialist allied health services will be eligible.
If re-elected the government will also simplify IPTAAS forms and make online claims easier, reduce the time taken to process claims and reimburse patients, establish a dedicated 1800-number to streamline patient and carer enquiries and make small claims under $100 easier to lodge.
Mr Marshall said that in the Hunter New England Ares Health District more than 11,700 IPTAAS claims were lodged last year, the vast majority in the New England North West region.
“The importance of IPTAAS to Northern Tablelands communities cannot be underestimated and these enhancements will have countless benefits for patients and their loved ones,” he said.
“This is about delivering a better service for country communities and ensuring the scheme is in line with what our community needs and deserves.
“Patients are being put first by boosting subsidies and cutting red tape to deliver an enhanced service for patients in their time of need.