AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

AMENDMENTS TO THE CANBERRA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (CHARGES) REGULATIONS

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

No. 6 of 1968

	The amendments increase the level of fees for radiological services rendered at the Canberra Community Hospital by revoking the Fourth Schedule to the Regulations and providing for the new fees to be equal to 250 per cent of the present level of Commonwealth benefit provided for radiological services under the National Health Act 1953–1967.  The new charges will be substantially similar to those made by public hospitals in the larger states.

	Although the charges will now be related to the Schedule of benefits for those services under the National Health Act, it is not intended that they will be automatically varied should there be subsequent changes in the National Health Act Schedule.  In the event of such changes, radiological charges at the Canberra Community Hospital will be the subject of separate review.

	At present the most common level of fund benefit offered by Registered Medical Benefits Organizations for radiological services is 100 per cent of the Commonwealth benefit.  Therefore an insured patient will normally be able to receive a combined benefit equal to four-fifths of the new fees for these services.