s.a.f.e. Flashcards
(20 cards)
1
Q
define sustainability in relation to health
A
- The sustainability of the Australian health system relates to its capacity to provide a workforce and infrastructure, such as facilities and equipment, into the future, and to be innovative and responsive to emerging needs through interventions such as research and monitoring.
2
Q
define access in relation to health
A
*An accessible health system is one that can provide all people with timely access to quality health services based on their needs, not their ability to pay, regardless of where they live in the country. This means that access must be available to people from all socioeconomic groups and those living within and outside Australia’s major cities.
3
Q
define funding in relation to health
A
- Funding of the health system relates to the financial resources that are provided to keep the health system adequately staffed and resourced so a high level of care is available for those who need it. Funding also relates to the money used to pay for services and resources provided by the health system to patients, such as doctors consultations, subsidies for medication, supports provided through the NDIS, and contributions for health services made by private health insurance companies.
4
Q
define equity in relation to health
A
- An equitable health system is one that takes the different circumstances of individuals and groups into account, so that those who need more support are able to receive it. As a result, disadvantaged individuals and groups are targeted in an attempt to create a level playing field.
5
Q
how is medicare sustainable
A
- By reducing or removing the cost of healthcare** individuals will access healthcare sooner,** which will lead to improved health outcomes and reduce the cost of treatment in the long term.
* The Medicare levy increased from 1.5 to 2 per cent in July 2014 to assist in providing the necessary funds to maintain Australia’s health system and introduce the National Disability Insurance Scheme - Medicare only covers essential healthcare services. This will help to meet the health needs of the current generation but also ensure that Australia will be able to financially support the health needs of future generations by treating the most important conditions
6
Q
how is medicare accessible
A
- Medicare allows an individual to be able to select their own doctor for out-of-hospital services, which makes such services more accessible as people will have the ability to select a doctor in their local area and will also be able to select a doctor who meets their social needs. This will make people feel comfortable in seeking healthcare which can lead to improved outcomes.
- Medicare provides access to people of all socioeconomic backgrounds to services such as doctors’ consultations and treatment in public hospitals
- Medicare provides funding for telephone and video consultations which can assist those living outside major cities in accessing health services
7
Q
how and what does medicare fund
A
- Medicare funds part or all of the fees associated with health services — including doctor and specialist consultations, pathology tests and fee-free treatment in public hospitals
8
Q
how is medicare equitable
A
- Medicare Safety Net — people who require frequent services covered by Medicare, such as doctor’s visits and tests, receive additional financial support
- Mental Health Treatment Plans — those with mental health disorders are eligible for 10 individual and 10 group therapy sessions per calendar year with the cost covered by Medicare
9
Q
how is pbs sustainable
A
- The Therapeutic Goods Administration (a federal government body) verifies the effectiveness of all PBS medicines. This contributes to improved treatment and less reliance on the health system.
- Continually reviewing the medicines available through the PBS means those that will have the greatest benefits are prioritised, which assists in keeping the scheme sustainable
10
Q
how is pbs accessible
A
- All Australian citizens and permanent residents are entitled to access subsidised medicines through the PBS
- The PBS promotes access to essential medicines for low income earners by including a concessional co-payment amount
11
Q
how and what does pbs fund
A
- Essential medicines are subsidised through the PBS, providing treatment for many conditions, promoting health outcomes
12
Q
how is pbs equitable
A
- The BPS Safety Net- protect those who suffer chronic illness, those who need many medications or expensive medications from large out-of-pocket costs, thus providing extra support to those who need it most.
- The concessional co-payment amount provides greater assistance to those who are unemployed or on low incomes
- Many Indigenous Australians can qualify for reduced PBS co-payment amounts under the Closing the Gap initiative
13
Q
how is ndis sustainable
A
- Each participant in the NDIS receives an individualised plan which means that only necessary funds are spent on each person. As a result, more people can access the NDIS and experience improved health outcomes.
14
Q
how is ndis accessible
A
- The NDIS aims to ensure that Australians with a disability receive the reasonable and necessary funded support required for them to financially access all the services they need to live an ordinary life
- The NDIS has been rolled out in every region of Australia, improving access for those living outside major cities
15
Q
how and what does ndis fund
A
- The NDIS can provide funding for a range of resources that promote health status, including carers who can provide support with daily living and staying socially connected
- Funding provides assistive technology such as wheelchairs and bed rails
16
Q
how is ndis equitable
A
- The individualised plan developed as a part of the NDIS ensures that those with more significant needs, receive more assistance
- Those who require the NDIS do not have to pay more towards funding it than those who don’t
17
Q
how is phi sustainable
A
- Private health insurance is economically sustainable, as it helps to meet the healthcare needs of the current generation (both those with private health insurance and those without) through placing less burden on the public system.
- It also aims to meet the needs of future generations by implementing incentive schemes to make access to private health insurance more affordable, and therefore decreasing the demand on the public system as our ageing population continues to grow. Less demand on the public system means that more people are able to be treated sooner, leading to better health outcomes.
18
Q
how is phi accessible
A
- Private health insurance promotes access to health services which may have been too expensive for patients to afford
- Through the private health insurance rebate scheme, the government has tried to make private health insurance more financially accessible, with the aim of increasing the number of people who can afford to access private health insurance.
19
Q
how and what does phi fund
A
- Private health insurance provides much of the funding for private hospitals which are responsible for around 40 per cent of hospital treatments.
- The federal government funds the private health insurance rebate which means private health insurance is more affordable for more people
20
Q
how is phi equitable
A
- Those on lower incomes receive more financial assistance through the private health insurance rebate
- Those aged over 65 and over (who often have lower incomes) receive a greater rebate from the government if they have private health insurance
- People who use their private health insurance more often than others, do not have to pay a higher premium
