WorkCover Queensland will introduce a consistent fee structure, in the form of a table of costs, for private hospital services for the treatment of patients with a workers' compensation claim. Consultation and feedback from our stakeholders is key to ensuring we continue to meet our customers' needs, so we encourage you to share your thoughts and feedback through our Open for Comment process.
Background
WorkCover is focused on getting the best outcomes for both employers and workers. 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.
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.
Our current fee model for private hospital services is based on individual contracts with these hospitals across Queensland. The variety and complexity of these contracts makes it difficult to achieve consistent pricing and service delivery. It also hinders our flexibility to respond quickly to emergent events (e.g. extending the use of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic).
Insights from research, analysis and consultation with other jurisdictions and key stakeholders, has 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.
What is changing
The Private Hospital Services Table of Costs would be maintained in a similar manner to our 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 CPI and wage indexes.
Target dates for the introduction of the table of costs are:
- Publication date: 1 November 2021
- Effective date: 1 December 2021
We need your feedback
We understand this represents a different way of working for private hospitals within the Queensland workers' compensation scheme. As a key stakeholder in this scheme, your feedback is valuable and will help ensure we design and deliver a new process that meets everyone's needs.
How do I provide feedback
There will be two Open for Comment processes, one focussed on the structure of the table of costs and one focussed on fees. The two-step approach will allow us to consider any feedback on the structure which may impact fees.
Step 1 - Open for Comment – table of costs structure
- Commences: Wednesday 17 February 2021
- Closes: Wednesday 17 March 2021
- Draft Private Hospital Services Table of Costs (PDF, 0.53 MB)
Step 2 - Open for Comment - table of costs fees
- Commences: June 2021 (exact date to be confirmed)
- Closes: July 2021 (exact date to be confirmed)
You can either complete the online form or alternatively upload a file.
These Open for Comment processes are voluntary opportunities for stakeholders to provide submissions for WorkCover Queensland's consideration. Information collected will be used internally by WorkCover to inform future strategy and design decisions in relation to the Private Hospital Services Table of Costs. Stakeholder submissions will not be published publicly. Any personal information collected will be handled in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009.
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