Explanatory Statement
Issued by the Authority of the Minister for Health and Ageing
Dental Benefits Act 2008
Dental Benefits Amendment Rules 2008 (No.2)
Section 60 of the Dental Benefits Act 2008 (the Act) provides that the Minister may, by legislative instrument, make Dental Benefits Rules providing for matters:
(a) required or permitted by the Act to be provided; or
(b) necessary or convenient to be provided in order to carry out or give effect to the Act.
The Medicare Teen Dental Plan was introduced on 1 July 2008. Under this program, eligible teenagers can receive dental benefits of up to $150 for an annual preventative dental check. Teenagers 12-17 years of age in families receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A, and teenagers in the same age group receiving Youth Allowance or Abstudy, are eligible for the Medicare Teen Dental Plan.
The purpose of the Dental Benefits Amendment Rules 2008 (No.2) (the Rules) is to index the benefit for the preventative dental check (item 88000) from $150 to $153.45.
Details of the Rules are set out in the Attachment.
These Rules commence on 1 January 2009.
Consultation
Consultation was not necessary in respect to these Rules as the changes are machinery in nature and do not substantially alter existing arrangements.
Authority: Section 60 of the Dental Benefits Act 2008
Attachment
DETAILS OF THE DENTAL BENEFITS AMENDMENT RULES 2008 (No.2)
1. Name of Rules
Rule 1 provides for the Rules to be referred to as the Dental Benefits Amendment Rules 2008 (No.2).
2 Commencement
Rule 2 provides for the Rules to commence on 1 January 2009.
3 Amendment of Dental Benefits Rules 2008
Rule 3 provides that Schedule 1 amends the Dental Benefits Rules 2008.
Schedule 1 – Amendments
[1] Amendment to Schedule 1
Item [1] provides that the benefit payable for the preventative dental check is increased to $153.45.