Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That, in accordance with section 10B of the Health Insurance Act 1973, the House approve the Health Insurance (Extended Medicare Safety Net) Amendment Determination 2013 (No. 1) made on 27 February 2013, and presented to the House on 12 March 2013.

The Health Insurance (Extended Medicare Safety Net) Amendment Determination 2013 (No. 1) introduces extended Medicare safety net benefit caps for 11 Medicare benefit schedule items, with two items for radiofrequency ablation of varicose veins. These caps are in line with advice from the Medical Services Advisory Committee formed during their review of the proposal for public funding of this service in August 2012. This changes affects no patients as the items and caps will commence at the same time. The caps on audiology services are in line with the government's 2012-13 budget announcement that all allied health services would be subject to extended Medicare safety net benefit caps. This change is also unlikely to impact patients as very few people are expected to reach the cap.

Question agreed to.