Commonwealth Numbered Regulations - Explanatory Statements

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HEALTH INSURANCE (1998-99 PATHOLOGY SERVICES TABLE) AMENDMENT REGULATIONS 1999 (NO. 2) 1999 NO. 109

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

STATUTORY RULES 1999 No. 109

Issued by the Authority of the Minister for Health and Aged Care

Health Insurance Act 1973

Health Insurance (1998-99 Pathology Services Table) Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 2)

Section 133 of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act) provides that the Governor-General may make regulations prescribing matters for the purposes of the Act.

Section 9 of the Act provides that Medicare benefits shall be calculated by reference to the fees for medical services (including pathology services) set out in the table.

Section 4A of the Act provides that a table of pathology services may be prescribed. The Health Insurance (1998-99 Pathology Services Table) Regulations 1998, which commenced on 1 November 1998, prescribes such a table.

The amendment Regulations removes the episode limit restrictions on two HIV viral RNA load test items. The changes are in response to further representation from the Australian National Council on AIDS and Related Diseases and to concerns raised by medical practitioners treating HIV seropositive patients.

The changes to the 1998-99 Pathology Services Table have been developed through the Pathology Services Table Committee, in cooperation with the two peak pathology professional bodies, The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and the Australian Association of Pathology Practices.

The changes have no major financial implications and are incorporated within the expenditure targets for 1999100 as set under the Pathology Quality and Outlays Agreement.

Details of the Regulations are set out in the attachment.

The Regulations commenced on 1 July 1999.

ATTACHMENT

Regulation 1 cites the regulations as the Health Insurance (1998-99 Pathology Services Table) Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 2).

Regulation 2 prescribes a commencement date of 1 July 1999.

Regulation 3 prescribes the amendments to the Health Insurance (1998-99 Pathology Services Table) Regulations 1998.

The changes under Regulation 3, Schedule 1 are:

Item 1 deletes Rule 20 which provided a global limit on the number of test episodes allowed in a 12 month period for two HIV viral RNA items (items 69378 and 69381).

Items 2 and 3 amended the HIV viral RNA items (items 69378 and 69381) by removal of the episode limit restriction.


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