Australian Government
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004
MRCA Treatment Principles (Miscellaneous Amendments) Instrument 2013
Instrument 2013 No. MRCC 7
I, Warren Snowdon, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, pursuant to subsection 286(3) of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, approve this instrument made by the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission.
Dated this 14 day of June 2013
Warren Snowdon………………………………………………
WARREN SNOWDON
The Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, by its delegates, pursuant to subsection 286(2) of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, varies the MRCA Treatment Principles (Instrument No.M21 of 2004) in accordance with the Schedule.
Dated this 8th day of May 2013
The Seal of the )
Military Rehabilitation )
and Compensation Commission ) SEAL
was affixed hereto in the )
presence of: )
Ian Campbell Shane Carmody Major General Mark Kelly
………………………………………………………………………………………....
IAN CAMPBELL SHANE CARMODY Major General Mark Kelly
PSM AO DSC
CHAIR and DELEGATE MEMBER and DELEGATE MEMBER and DELEGATE
[1] Name of Instrument
This instrument is the MRCA Treatment Principles (Miscellaneous Amendments) Instrument 2013.
[2] Commencement
(1) Subject to the following provisions, this instrument commences on the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.
(2) Part 1 of the Schedule commences, or is taken to have commenced, on 1 July 2013.
(3) Section [3] and Part 4 commence on 1 July 2013.
(4) Part 5 of the Schedule is taken to have commenced on 14 January 2013.
(5) Part 6 of the Schedule commences, or is taken to have commenced, on the day after section [1] commences.
[3] Transitional
For item 9 (variations to 7.3A MRCA Home Care program):
(1) A person who, immediately before 1 July 2013:
(a) was entitled, under section 214 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, to have the Commonwealth pay weekly compensation for household services provided to the person; and
(b) was entitled to Domestic Assistance, or Home and Garden Maintenance, under the MRCA Treatment Principles;
is, on and after 1 July 2013, subject to the MRCA Treatment Principles as amended by this instrument.
Note: the effect of this provision is that the person can no longer receive
Domestic Assistance or Home and Garden Maintenance while entitled to household services.
(2) A person who, immediately before the 1 July 2013:
(a) was entitled, under section 217 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, to have the Commonwealth pay weekly compensation for attendant care services provided to the person; and
(b) was entitled to Personal Care under the MRCA Treatment Principles;
is, on and after 1 July 2013, subject to the MRCA Treatment Principles as amended by this instrument.
Note: the effect of this provision is that the person can no longer receive
Personal Care while entitled to attendant care services.
[4] Application
(1) An optical product dispenser who, immediately before the commencement of Part 1 of the Schedule to this instrument, had a current contract with the Commonwealth (as represented by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs), the Repatriation Commission, or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, for the supply of visual aids to a person is covered by the MRCA Treatment Principles in force immediately before the commencement of Part 1 of the Schedule to this instrument.
Note: this would mean, among other things, that if the optical dispenser in (1) proposed to supply a visual aid not covered by the contract, the optical dispenser would need to obtain the prior approval of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission.
(2) The variations to the MRCA Treatment Principles made by Part 1 of the Schedule to this instrument do not apply to an optical dispenser who has a current contract with the Commonwealth (as represented by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs), the Repatriation Commission, or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, for the supply of visual aids to a person.
Schedule
Part 1 Optical Dispenser Amendments
1. Paragraph 1.4.1
insert:
“ABN (Australian Business Number)” has the meaning given by the A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999.
“optical dispenser”, in the case of an individual, means a person who:
(a) interprets optical prescriptions and fits and services optical appliances such as spectacle frames and lenses; and
(b) holds a qualification that, in the opinion of the Commission, is appropriate for the skills needed to practise optical dispensing; and
(c) is a member of a body established to supervise the occupation of optical dispenser; and
(d) holds a provider number as an optometrist, ophthalmologist, orthoptist or optical dispenser.
“optical dispenser”, in the case of a company, means a company that:
(a) holds an ABN (Australian Business Number);
(b) carries on a business of optical dispensing;
(c) employs or engages for the optical dispensing aspects of the business — an individual who is an optical dispenser.
“optical dispensing” means interpreting optical prescriptions and fitting and servicing optical appliances such as spectacle frames and lenses.
2. Paragraph 3.2.1(s)
substitute:
(s) provision of a visual aid to an entitled person by an optometrist or an optical dispenser that is either:
(i) not available to the entitled person under the DVA document entitled “Pricing Schedule for Visual Aids”, in force on the date in Schedule 1; or
(ii) available to the entitled person under the DVA document entitled “Pricing Schedule for Visual Aids”, in force on the date in Schedule 1, but with the stipulation that prior approval is required.
3. Paragraph 3.3.2(g)
substitute:
(g) optometrical treatment provided by an optometrist to an entitled person in accordance with these Principles and the dispensing of optical products by an optometrist (or an optical dispenser) provided that, if an optical product is dispensed, any requirement for prior approval in relation to that product imposed by 3.2.1(s) is satisfied.
4. Paragraph 3.5.1(1)(k)
omit:
and the Notes for Allied Health Providers (Section 1 General Information and Section 2(h)(as section 2(h) affects optical dispensers));
substitute:
, the DVA document entitled “Pricing Schedule for Visual Aids”, in force on the date in Schedule 1, and the Notes for Allied Health Providers (Section 1 General Information and Section 2(h)(as section 2(h) affects optical dispensers));
5. Paragraph 7.4.2 (c)
substitute:
(c) the DVA document entitled “Pricing Schedule for Visual Aids”, in force on the date in Schedule 1.
6. Paragraph 11.4.1(c)
substitute:
(c) the DVA document entitled “Pricing Schedule for Visual Aids”, in force on the date in Schedule 1.
Part 2 Vaccination or Inoculation in Connection with Overseas Travel
7. Paragraph 4.8.1(k)
omit.
Part 3 Telemonitoring Amendments
8. 6B – TELEMONITORING TREATMENT INITIATIVE (the heading)
substitute:
PART 6B – TELEMONITORING TREATMENT INITIATIVE
Part 4 MRCA Home Care Program Amendments
9. Paragraph 7.3A.3(2)(Note)
after the Note, insert:
7.3A.3A Dual Services
(1) If, under section 214 of the Act, the Commonwealth is liable to pay weekly compensation for household services provided to a person, the person is not entitled to Domestic Assistance or Home and Garden Maintenance.
(2) If, under section 217 of the Act, the Commonwealth is liable to pay weekly compensation for attendant care services provided to a person, the person is not entitled to Personal Care.
10. Paragraph 7.3A.14 (Heading)
omit.
11. Paragraphs 7.3A.14 – 7.3A.17
omit.
Part 5 Rehabilitation and Appliance Program Amendments
12. Schedule 1
substitute:
SCHEDULE 1 DATES FOR INCORPORATED DOCUMENTS
The date for :
1. Notes for Local Medical Officers (paragraph 1.4.1);
2. Department of Veterans’ Affairs Fee Schedules for Medical Services (paragraph 3.5.1);
3. Notes for Allied Health Providers (paragraphs 3.5.1 and 7.1A.1);
4. Optometrist Fees for Consultation (paragraph 3.5.1);
5. DVA Schedule of Fees Orthoptists (paragraph 3.5.1);
6. Pricing Schedule for visual aids (paragraph 3.5.1);
7. The fourth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (commonly known as DSM-IV) (paragraph 2.4.2A);
8. Fee Schedule of Dental Services for Dentists and Dental Specialists (paragraph 3.5.1);
9. Fee Schedule of Dental Services for Dental Prosthetists (paragraph 3.5.1);
10. Chiropractors Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
11. Diabetes Educators Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
12. Dietitians Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
13. Exercise Physiologists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
14. Occupational Therapists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
15. Osteopaths Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
16. Physiotherapists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
17. Psychologists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
18. Podiatrists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
19. Social Workers Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
20. Clinical Counsellors Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
21. Speech Pathologists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
22. Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs Classification System and Schedule of Item Numbers and Fees — Community Nursing Services (paragraph 6A.4.2(b));
23. Notes for Coordinated Veterans' Care Program Providers (Part 6A);
24. Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) National Guidelines (paragraph 11.2A.1);
25. RAP National Schedule of Equipment (paragraph 11.2A.1);
26. Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Services (VVCS) Outreach Program Counsellors (OPC) Provider Notes (paragraph 1.4.1 and 7.1A.1);
27. Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) Outreach Program Counsellors (OPC) Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
28. General information about VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (paragraph 1.4.1);
29. Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists & General Practitioners through the Medical Benefits Schedule Initiative
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/mentalhealth/publishing.nsf/Content/better-access-through-mbs-1;
is 1 March 2013.
Part 6 Coordinated Veterans’ Care Program Amendments
13. Paragraph 6A.4A.1 (c)
omit (second occurring):
Program
14. Schedule 1
substitute:
SCHEDULE 1 DATES FOR INCORPORATED DOCUMENTS
The date for :
1. Notes for Local Medical Officers (paragraph 1.4.1);
2. Department of Veterans’ Affairs Fee Schedules for Medical Services (paragraph 3.5.1);
3. Notes for Allied Health Providers (paragraphs 3.5.1 and 7.1A.1);
4. Optometrist Fees for Consultation (paragraph 3.5.1);
5. DVA Schedule of Fees Orthoptists (paragraph 3.5.1);
6. Pricing Schedule for visual aids (paragraph 3.5.1);
7. The fourth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (commonly known as DSM-IV) (paragraph 2.4.2A);
8. Fee Schedule of Dental Services for Dentists and Dental Specialists (paragraph 3.5.1);
9. Fee Schedule of Dental Services for Dental Prosthetists (paragraph 3.5.1);
10. Chiropractors Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
11. Diabetes Educators Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
12. Dietitians Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
13. Exercise Physiologists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
14. Occupational Therapists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
15. Osteopaths Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
16. Physiotherapists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
17. Psychologists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
18. Podiatrists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
19. Social Workers Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
20. Clinical Counsellors Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
21. Speech Pathologists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
22. Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs Classification System and Schedule of Item Numbers and Fees — Community Nursing Services (paragraph 6A.4.2(b));
23. Notes for Coordinated Veterans' Care Program Providers (Part 6A);
24. Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) National Guidelines (paragraph 11.2A.1);
25. RAP National Schedule of Equipment (paragraph 11.2A.1);
26. Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Services (VVCS) Outreach Program Counsellors (OPC) Provider Notes (paragraph 1.4.1 and 7.1A.1);
27. Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) Outreach Program Counsellors (OPC) Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);
28. General information about VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (paragraph 1.4.1);
29. Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists & General Practitioners through the Medical Benefits Schedule Initiative
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/mentalhealth/publishing.nsf/Content/better-access-through-mbs-1;
is 1 June 2013.
Part 7 Miscellaneous Amendment
15. Paragraph 1.4.1 (definition of “attendant care”)
omit.
