Consumers Health Forum MBS workshops in Qld - Brisbane & Mt Isa - EOIs by 19 July

Plase see below for advice from Health Consumers Queensland about upcoming Consumers Health Forum (CHF) consultation workshops in Brisbane and Mt Isa about Medicare.

Brisbane: Monday 2 August, 10:00am-3:00pm
Mount Isa: Tuesday 3 August, 10:00am-3:00pm

An Expression of Interest form needs to be submitted by 19 July. Please contact HCQ for the form: DSHCQ@health.qld.gov.au Please also let MC Qld know if you apply.

Consumer Health Forum of Australia (CHF) Consumer Consultation Workshop - Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Quality Framework Project

Health Consumers Queensland (HCQ) urges the members of our Consumer Network to express interest in participating in the Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) consumer consultation workshop in Brisbane or Mount Isa in relation to the Medicare Benefits Schedule.

The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is essential to the Australian health care system. The MBS's role is to provide rebates to consumers for medical services which are provided on a fee-for-service basis. It facilitates consumer access to a range of allied health, general practice and specialist medical services. As part of the Federal Government's current health reform plan, $9.3 million over two years has been allocated to develop and implement a new framework for managing the MBS into the future. The aim of the MBS Quality Framework is to ensure all services covered by the MBS are aligned with contemporary clinical evidence, are cost effective and affordable and result in improved health outcomes for all Australian health care consumers.

As part of the Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Quality Framework Project, funded by the Department of Health and Ageing, CHF is conducting a series of ten consumer consultation workshops. These workshops will allow CHF to engage, inform and consult with members to ensure consumer perspectives are adequately and effectively represented for consideration in the development and implementation of the new MBS Quality Framework.

The workshops are an opportunity for consumers to identify key issues regarding the proposed framework and to ensure that any new mechanisms put in place for listing, pricing and review of MBS items will be effective, safe and encourage better health outcomes for consumers. The aims of the workshops include:
� Identify key issues for consumers in the development of a Quality Framework for the Medicare Benefits Schedule and its key proposals:
� Introducing time-limited listing
� Evaluating time-limited items
� Establishing a system for monitoring and review of MBS items
� Strengthening systems for pricing and listing new services.
� Establish an evidence base about consumer concerns relating to the Quality Framework for the Medicare Benefits Schedule

The workshops are to be held in the following locations:
Brisbane Monday 2 August
Mount Isa Tuesday 3 August
Darwin Thursday 5 August
Canberra Wednesday 11 August
Sydney Friday 13 August
Melbourne Tuesday 17 August
Hobart Wednesday 18 August
Perth Tuesday 24 August
Adelaide Wednesday 25 August
Port Augusta Thursday 26 August

Locations will be announced at a later date.

For more information on the Project, please see the CHF Information Paper. It can be accessed here.

The Department of Health and Ageing have also released a Discussion Paper on the Quality Framework. It can be accessed here.

We are seeking workshop participants from health consumers who have experience with the MBS, or have a general interest in the area.

As places are strictly limited, please complete the attached expression of interest form and return it as soon as possible. Applications close on 19 July 2010.
Please contact Sarah Watt, CHF Project Officer at s.watt@chf.org.au or on (02) 6273 5444 (STD calls will be returned) if you have any questions or would like to discuss this project further.