Patient travel subsidy scheme
Directive number: QH-HSD-050:2019
Effective date: 01 July 2023
Review date: 25 January 2026
Supersedes: Version 1.0
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Mandatory requirements
Related or governing legislation, policy and agreements, supporting documents, business area contact, approval and implementation, definitions of terms used in this directive, version control.
To administer the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) consistently across Queensland and to optimise support to patients accessing healthcare services in an effective and efficient manner.
This directive applies to all Hospital and Health Services (HHSs).
- Accessibility—the scheme and information pertaining to the scheme shall be accessible (available and understandable) to staff and the public
- Consistency—the scheme is applied consistently across Queensland
- Efficiency—the scheme promotes the efficient use of public resources across Queensland
- Equity—the scheme facilitates equitable access to specialist healthcare services across Queensland
- Patient-centred approach—the health and wellbeing of patients is integral to the PTSS decision-making process and decisions are made with empathy
- Patient safety—the safety of patients is a key consideration in patient travel decisions
- Subsidy—the scheme does not cover full costs of travel and accommodation
HHSs shall achieve the following outcomes:
- Minimise unnecessary travel by patients through optimal use of alternatives, including telehealth where appropriate.
- Implement the PTSS in accordance with the protocol and guidelines issued by the Chief Executive (Director-General, Queensland Health).
- Assess and manage PTSS applications consistently with a patient-centred focus, facilitating equitable access to specialist healthcare services across Queensland.
- Administer the PTSS in a manner which elicits the necessary data and information to monitor compliance with the scheme.
- The first consideration when assessing an application shall be whether there is an alternative to travel, including consultation via telehealth where appropriate.
- A subsidy payment claim under the scheme shall be assessed and managed in accordance with the Protocol for Administration of the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme and the Guideline for the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme.
- HHSs shall have a documented process for administering the scheme that aligns with the Protocol for Administration of the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme and the Guideline for the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme.
- HHSs shall establish and maintain a procedure that ensures timely, accurate and consistent processing of claims. Payment of approved subsidies shall be made within 30 business days of all necessary documentation being submitted to the HHS.
- Financial recording and reporting shall be completed in accordance with the Funding and Reporting Guidelines , including the use of the appropriate general ledger codes for patient travel expenses in the Chart of Accounts.
- Compliance with this directive shall be reviewed no less than every 12 months through the service agreement process. The outcome of these reviews shall be shared with the department for analysis and quality improvement purposes.
- Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011
- Financial Accountability Act 2009
- Financial and Performance Management Standard 2009
- Protocol for Administration of the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme QH‑HSDPTL‑050-1:2019
- Guideline for the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme QH-HSDGDL-050-2:2019
- Funding and Reporting Guidelines
- Finance Branch, Corporate Service Division
Directive Custodian
Deputy Director-General, Corporate Services Division, Department of Health.
Approval by Chief Executive
Director-General, Queensland Health
Approval date: 25 January 2024
Issued under section 47 of the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011.
Last updated: 12 February 2024
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For patients and visitors.
- Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme
More pages in this section
The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme ( PTSS ) provides financial assistance for patients who are referred to specialist medical services not available at their local public hospital or health facility.
Eligible patients are able to apply for a subsidy to assist with travel and accommodation costs of accessing specialist medical services.
Patients approved for PTSS will receive a subsidy to attend the closest public hospital or health facility where the specialist medical treatment is available. Patients travelling to access private specialist services may be eligible for a subsidy if the service is not available within 50 kilometres of the patient's closest public hospital or health facility.
The Scheme is Queensland Government funded and administered through Queensland Health. It aims to support Queenslanders to access specialist medical treatment wherever they live in the state.
The PTSS guideline provides more information on the Scheme.
The PTSS is not intended to cover the full costs associated with accessing specialist medical services.
Eligible patients can apply for the following subsidies:
- Travel subsidy
- Accommodation subsidy
- Escort subsidy
Check to see if you're eligible
Eligible patients can submit an application form to your nearest NWHHS facility, either in person, via email, post or fax.
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