Everything you need to know about the changes to the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS)
Having access to transport opens up a world of opportunities for everyone – whether it’s running errands, getting to work or school, or travelling to medical appointments. For those who have to travel more than 50km for medical appointments, costs can build up. The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) has made changes to make it easier for you and your family to access support for specialist medical travel. Get all the details of how the changes will affect you below.
New Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) forms
The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) provides financial support for travel and accommodation for eligible patients needing to travel to access specialist medical services. After a review of processes, the Queensland Government has made changes to make the PTSS easier to navigate and more efficient with payment timeframes.
As part of these changes, there are three new forms you’ll need to complete when you lodge your travel information. The changes come into effect on 1 February 2019 and the new PTSS forms, as well as more information on the Scheme, are available here: www.health.qld.gov.au/PTSS
These forms have been created to make it easier for people to access their PTSS subsidies, and have been successfully trialled in other locations across QLD.
Now it’s our turn!
How does the PTSS work?
- The patient fills out the PTSS Patient Registration Form (Form A) to register for PTSS.
- The referring clinician fills out the PTSS Travel Referral Form (Form B) for the patient to apply for travel, accommodation and patient escort subsidies.
- The patient’s specialist, or a representative, fills out the PTSS Appointment Attendance Form (Form C) to confirm the patient attended the appointment.
Check out the guide below for more info!
How will this help you?
- Get subsidy payments back faster (within 30 business days of submitting all required documents).
- PTSS forms are easy to understand and can be completed and submitted online.
- Applications have less duplication of information required, making them faster to complete and process.
- All patient information will be collated electronically and in one place.
Am I eligible?
If you live in Queensland and have been referred by a clinician to a specialist medical service that is not available at your local public hospital you may be eligible for a subsidy.
Need help?
Visit www.health.qld.gov.au/PTSS for more information or call 13HEALTH (43 25 84). If this number does not connect from your location, please call 134 325.