Compensation Recipients
The Compensation Recovery Program began in February 1996 and is administered by Medicare Australia under the provision of the Health and Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995, on behalf of the Department of Health and Ageing.
The program aims to prevent ‘double dipping' in Medicare and Nursing Home benefits and Residential Care subsidies paid by the Commonwealth in relation to an injury or illness, where a person has already received compensation for the injury or illness.
Where the amount of compensation fixed is more than $5000 (including costs), the value of the benefits or subsidies paid by the Commonwealth in relation to the injury or illness must be repaid.
The HOSC Act 1995 'Sunset Clause' Repealed
In 1996, an amendment was made to the Health & Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995 (HOSC Act) to allow a compensation payer or insurer the option to utilise an Advanced Payment Option (APO). The option allows compensation payers to pay 10 per cent of the judgment or settlement to Medicare Australia to cover any potential Commonwealth debt. Claimants then have immediate access to the remaining 90 per cent of their money. The APO was due to cease on 1 July 2006 if the 'sunset clause' allowing this option was not repealed. Legislation was passed unchanged by the Senate on 11 May 2006 ensuring that the APO is still available after 30 June 2006 and remains at 10%. The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee's report on the Health and other Services (Compensation) Amendment Bill 2006
is available at the Parliament of Australia website.
Information Sheets
- Important information for claimants [PDF, 180Kb]
- When to notify Medicare Australia [PDF, 174Kb]
- Frequently used terms [PDF, 200Kb]
- Making a compensation payment to the Australian Government [PDF, 202Kb]
- What to do once a claim reaches judgment or settlement [PDF, 253Kb]
- Requesting a review of a deemed amount after judgment or settlement [PDF, 184Kb]
- Authority to release information [PDF, 185Kb]
Forms
Changes to Health and Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995
The Federal Government changed the HOSC Act from 01/01/02. The changes are designed to simplify and streamline the process of repaying Medicare and/or nursing home/residential care benefits to Medicare Australia, from compensation payouts.
For compensation payers from NSW and ACT please send forms to:
Compensation Section
Medicare Austalia
GPO Box 4104
Sydney NSW 2001
For compensation payers in all other states and the Northern Territory please send this form to:
Compensation Section
Medicare Australia
GPO Box 2436
Brisbane QLD 4001
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Last updated: 28 May, 2008