John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

I need to check with the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs about what his view is but as the minister representing him in the Senate let me tell you what the situation is from a broader government perspective. The government’s regulations in the Senate to reduce the Medicare rebate payable for cataract surgery have been blocked. The consequence of this is that the cataract items did not exist in the Medicare Benefits Schedule, effective 1 November 2009, which means that there was technically no rebate payable under Medicare. The DVA payments system administered by Medicare Australia will continue to process DVA claims for cataract surgery provided to veterans consistent with the DVA arrangements. Under the treatment principles, DVA funds MBS listed services and DVA can pay for services not listed in the MBS unlisted services in certain circumstances. I hope that helps you, Senator Cormann.