Explanatory Statement
Issued by the Authority of the Minister for Health and Ageing
Dental Benefits Act 2008
Dental Benefits Amendment Rules 2011
Background
Section 60(1) of the Dental Benefits Act 2008 (the Act) provides that the Minister may, by legislative instrument, make Dental Benefits Rules providing for matters required, or permitted by the Act to be provided, or necessary or convenient to be provided in order to carry out or give effect to the Act.
Dental Benefits Amendment Rules 2011
The Medicare Teen Dental Plan was introduced on 1 July 2008. Under this program, eligible teenagers can receive dental benefits of up to $159.85 for an annual preventative dental check. Teenagers 12 to 17 years of age who meet the means test as provided for in section 24 of the Act are eligible for the Medicare Teen Dental Plan.
The purpose of the Dental Benefits Amendment Rules 2011 (the Rules) is to index the benefit for the preventative dental check (item 88000) from $159.85 to $163.05, in line with other Medicare benefits, which are indexed on 1 November every year.
Details of the Rules are set out in the Attachment.
Commencement
These Rules commence on 1 January 2012.
Consultation
Consultation was not necessary in respect to these Rules as the changes are machinery in nature, do not substantially alter existing arrangements, and are in line with other Medicare benefits, which are indexed on 1 November every year.
Authority: Section 60(1) of the Dental Benefits Act 2008
Attachment
DETAILS OF THE DENTAL BENEFITS AMENDMENT RULES 2011
1. Name of Rules
Rule 1 provides for the Rules to be referred to as the Dental Benefits Amendment Rules 2011.
2 Commencement
Rule 2 provides for the Rules to commence on 1 January 2012.
3 Amendment of Dental Benefits Rules 2009
Rule 3 provides that Schedule 1 amends the Dental Benefits Rules 2009.
Schedule 1 – Amendments
[1] Amendment to Schedule 1
Item [1] provides that the benefit payable for the preventative dental check is increased from $159.85 to $163.05.