Cutting the costs of healthcare

PATIENTS from the Northern Rivers are getting better healthcare thanks to funding that provides financial assistance when they need to travel long distances for specialist treatment.

The Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) pays eligible patients a subsidy for travel and accommodation costs, including travel by private vehicle, public transport, taxis, and in some cases, flights.

Northern Rivers resident Lilli Forrest said the funding made a difference to her health and wellbeing when she was diagnosed with a rare melanoma on the iris of her left eye.

The financial assistance meant her partner could travel and stay with her during regular trips to the nearest specialist treatment in Brisbane.

“Having the IPTAAS program means that you have less financial burden and you’re able to get treatment as soon as you can,” she said.

In the 2023-24 financial year, 99,600 applications were approved across the state, helping 41,417 patients access specialist health treatment.

The scheme paid $48,885,696 in claims across NSW, with an average reimbursement per patient of $482.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said the scheme aimed to make it easier for people to access healthcare.

“We know that people living in rural, regional and remote NSW sometimes have to travel a long way for specialist care.

“The financial assistance they get through IPTAAS not only helps cover the costs of travel and accommodation, it can mean the difference between seeking care or not.”