WorkCover Queensland says it is to introduce a table of costs for private hospital services for the treatment of patients with a workers’ compensation claim.
Calling for public feedback on the project, WorkCover said consultation with its stakeholders was the key to ensuring it continued to meet its customers’ needs.
“WorkCover is focused on getting the best outcomes for both employers and workers,” the Agency said in a statement.
“This means workers receive timely medical assistance to facilitate their rehabilitation and return to work, and treatment must be at a fair and reasonable price to minimise impact on employer premiums,” it said.
“As the main provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Queensland, we also have a responsibility to maintain the financial viability of the workers’ compensation fund in this State.”
WorkCover said its current fee model for private hospital services was based on individual contracts with the hospitals across Queensland.
“The variety and complexity of these contracts makes it difficult to achieve consistent pricing and service delivery,” WorkCover said.
“It also hinders our flexibility to respond quickly to emergent events such as extending the use of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic,” it said.
“Insights from research, analysis and consultation with other jurisdictions and key stakeholders have indicated the introduction of the Private Hospital Services Table of Costs would minimise the disparity in fees and service standards and improve efficiency in billing.”
It said the proposed Private Hospital Services Table of Costs would be maintained in a similar manner to its current Medical and Allied Health Table of Costs with annual and/or interim reviews.
“This would ensure fees and services are in line with relevant industry and economic factors such as the Consumer Price Index and wage indexes,” it said.
Consultation will close on 17 March and the 16-page Draft Private Hospital Services Table of Costs can be accessed at this PS News link.
WorkCover said it wanted to publish the table of costs by 1 November for it to come into effect on 1 December.
