Medicare is the insurance scheme that gives Australian citizens and permanent residents access to healthcare, including a wide range of health and hospital services at low or no cost. ACCHS are provided funding by the Federal Government to support offering bulk billing practices, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receive care at no cost.
The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is a list of services for which the Australian Government will pay a Medicare rebate. This provides patients with financial assistance towards the cost of there medical service.
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) has been provided with an objective from the Commonwealth Government National Indigenous Australian Agency (NIAA) to support the Aboriginal Health Council of WA (AHCWA) and other affiliates to optimise Medicare Benefits Schedule claiming practises and utilisation of other primary care funding sources such as Practice Incentive Payments (PIP) to strengthen their capacity to deliver high quality, responsive and culturally appropriate health services contributing to improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The AHCWA MBS Jurisdictional Coordinator’s role includes supporting the development of nationally consistent resources and delivering training, education and support for health professionals and practice staff working in WA ACCHS.