National Health (Multiple Hospitals Paperless Claiming Trial) Special Arrangement 2012 (No. PB 26 of 2012)

Administered by Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Legislation au F2012L01049 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

National Health (Multiple Hospitals Paperless Claiming Trial) Special Arrangement 2012

made under subsections 100 (1) and (2) of the National Health Act 1953.

Compilation start date:  1 September 2012

Includes amendments up to: National Health (Multiple Hospitals Paperless Claiming Trial) Special Arrangement Amendment Instrument 2012 (No.1) - PB 68 of 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepared by the Department of Health

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the National Health (Multiple Hospital Paperless Claiming

Trial Special Arrangements 2012) as in force on 1 September 2012. It includes any

commenced amendment affecting the legislation to that date.

This compilation was prepared on 2 November 2013.

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of each amended provision.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not reflected in the text of the compiled law but the text of the amendments is included in the endnotes.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Modifications

If a provision of the compiled law is affected by a modification that is in force, details are included in the endnotes.

Provisions ceasing to have effect

If a provision of the compiled law has expired or otherwise ceased to have effect in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

 

 

  1. Name of Special Arrangement     1
  2. Commencement       1
  3. Revocation        1
  4. Definitions        1
  5. Application of Part VII of the Act     2
  6. Pharmaceutical benefits covered by this Special Arrangements 2
  7. Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits    2
  8. Supply and Claiming of Pharmaceutical Benefits   3
  9. Transitionals       4

Schedule                    5

 

Endnotes        6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Special Arrangement

 

(1) This Special Arrangement is the National Health (Multiple Hospitals Paperless Claiming Trial) Special Arrangement 2012.

 

(2) This Special Arrangement may also be cited as PB 26 of 2012.

 

2 Commencement

 

This Special Arrangement commences on 1 June 2012.

 

3 Revocation

 

The National Health Act 1953 - Special Arrangements under subparagraph 100(1) (b) (i) Multiple Hospitals Paperless Claiming Trial (No. PB 16 of 2009) is revoked.

 

4 Definitions

 

In these arrangements:

 

Act means the National Health Act 1953.

 

approved supplier means the approved supplier whose name, address and approval number are specified in Column 2 of the Schedule to these arrangements opposite the name of the hospital in Column 1 of the Schedule.

 

authority prescription means an authority prescription as defined in the Regulations.

 

hospital means each hospital whose name and address is specified in Column 1 of the Schedule to these arrangements.

 

in-patient of the hospital means a person who occupies a bed in the hospital for the purpose of hospital treatment, but does not include a member of the staff of the hospital who is receiving treatment in his or her own quarters.

 

other Special Arrangement means another Special Arrangement under section 100 of the Act.

 

Regulations means the National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Regulations 1960.

 

Rules means the rules under subsection 99AAA (8) and subsection 98AC (4) of the Act.

 

Note: Terms used in this Special Arrangement have the same meaning as in the Act – see section 13 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. These terms include:

  •    Chief Executive Medicare
  •    Human Services Department
  •    PBS prescriber
  •    pharmaceutical benefit
  •    Secretary

 

5 Application of Part VII of the Act

 

(1) Each pharmaceutical benefit supplied in accordance with this Special Arrangement is supplied under Part VII of the Act.

 (2) A provision of Part VII of the Act, or of regulations or other instruments made for Part VII of the Act, applies subject to this Special Arrangement.

Note:  See subsection 100 (3) of the Act.

 

6 Pharmaceutical benefits covered by this Special Arrangement

 (1) This Special Arrangement applies to a pharmaceutical benefit which is generally available for supply under Part VII of the Act.

(2)  This Special Arrangement does not apply to a pharmaceutical benefit that can only be supplied under Part VII of the Act in accordance with any other Special Arrangement under section 100 of the Act.

 Note: Section 85AA of the Act provides that a pharmaceutical benefit that can only be supplied under Part VII of the Act in accordance with section 100 of the Act will be the subject of a subsection 85(2A) declaration (section 100 only drug), or a determination under paragraph 85(8) (a) (section 100 only pharmaceutical benefit) or paragraph 85(8) (b) (section 100 only circumstances).

 

7 Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits

 

A medication chart prepared and signed by a PBS prescriber  on which is prescribed a pharmaceutical benefit for the treatment of the in-patient of the hospital who is named on the medication chart, will be taken to be a duly written prescription, within the meaning of Regulation 19 of the Regulations, provided that:

 

(a)      the location within the hospital of the in-patient for whose treatment the medication chart was prepared will be taken to be the address of that in-patient for the purpose of paragraph 19(1)(d) of the Regulations; and

 

(b)      the medication chart bears the number of the Medicare card, including the sub-numerate, which applies to the in-patient for whose treatment the medication chart was prepared; and

 

(c)      in the case of a medication chart prepared in respect of an in-patient of the hospital who is not a general patient within the meaning of subsection 84(1) of the Act, the medication chart bears the matters prescribed by Regulation 19A of the Regulations; and

 

(d)      the medication chart bears the identification number issued by the Human Services Department to the PBS prescriber, according to Regulation 8A of the Regulations, who prescribed the pharmaceutical benefit; and

 

(e)      if the medication chart directs, pursuant to paragraph 85A(2)(b) of the Act and subparagraph 19(1)(f)(ii) of the Regulations, that the supply of the pharmaceutical benefit is to be repeated, that direction will be invalid; and

 

(f)       if the medication chart directs the supply of an increased quantity of the pharmaceutical benefit pursuant to subsection 88(6) of the Act and Regulation 24 of the Regulations, that direction will be taken to be a direction to supply the maximum quantity for that pharmaceutical benefit determined under paragraph 85A(2)(a) of the Act; and

 

(g)      the medication chart does not prescribe a pharmaceutical benefit that requires an authority prescription.

 

8 Supply and Claiming of Pharmaceutical Benefits

 

(1)      This Special Arrangement applies to the supply of pharmaceutical benefits by approved suppliers to the in-patients of the hospitals specified in Column 1 of the Schedule.

 

(2) The approved supplier will supply pharmaceutical benefits to in-patients of the hospital as if medication charts were original prescriptions, provided that:

 

(a)      where a medication chart contains a direction to supply more than one pharmaceutical benefit, the approved supplier will not, pursuant to Regulation 26A of the Regulations, defer the supply of one or more of the benefits; and

 

(b)      in lieu of the requirements of Regulation 31 of the Regulations, the approved supplier or a person authorised for the purpose by the approved supplier, certifies on the medication chart that the pharmaceutical benefit has been supplied and the date on which it was supplied, and signs his or her name.

 

(3)      The approved supplier must prepare an electronic pharmacy record in respect of each medication chart in respect of which a pharmaceutical benefit has been supplied to an in-patient of the hospital for which a claim is made under section 99AAA of the Act, and must retain that electronic pharmacy record for not less than one year after the day on which the pharmaceutical benefit was supplied.

(4)      The electronic pharmacy record referred to in subsection (3) must contain all information required to be included in a prescription record by the Schedule to the Rules for an online claim.

 

(5)      Subject to subsection (6), a claim by the approved supplier in respect of pharmaceutical benefits supplied to in-patients of the hospital may be furnished unaccompanied by the medication charts in respect of which pharmaceutical benefits have been supplied to in-patients of the hospital.

 

(6)      If the Chief Executive Medicare notifies the hospital that a copy of all or any of the electronic pharmacy records in respect of pharmaceutical benefits supplied to in-patients of the hospital is required to be submitted, the approved supplier shall submit a copy of each such electronic pharmacy record to the Human Services Department.

 

(7)      If the Chief Executive Medicare notifies the hospital that a copy of all or any of the medication charts in respect of pharmaceutical benefits supplied to in-patients of the hospital is required to be submitted, the hospital shall submit a copy of each such medication chart to the Human Services Department.

 

(8)              Information provided by electronic means to the Chief Executive Medicare on behalf of the Secretary by the approved supplier in respect of a claim in respect of pharmaceutical benefits supplied to in-patients of the hospital will conform to the requirements of the Rules for an online claim and the associated provision of under co-payment data under section 98AC of the Act.

 

9 Transitionals

 

(1) If a pharmaceutical benefit was prescribed for an in-patient of the hospital under the old Arrangements, and the supply was not made prior to the commencement of this Special Arrangement, the supply of the pharmaceutical benefit is taken to have been validly prescribed under this Special Arrangement, and may be supplied to the in-patient of the hospital under this Special Arrangement.

 

(2) In this section the old Arrangements means the National Health Act 1953 – Special Arrangements under subsection 100(1) (b) (i) – Multiple Hospitals Paperless Claiming Trial (PB 16 of 2009).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule

 

 

Column 1 – Name and Address for Hospital

Column 2 – Name, address and approval number of approved supplier

Cotham Private Hospital,

209 Cotham road

Kew, Victoria 3101

Sarah Thurlow, Kirsten Boyce and Angus Chung

HPS Pharmacies Knox

262 Mountain Highway

Wantirna, Victoria 3152

Approval number 23646M

Epworth Hospital

89 Bridge Road

Richmond, Victoria 3121

David Slade and Graham Slade

Slade Pharmacy

89 Bridge Road

Richmond, Victoria 3121

Approval number 22287B

Know Private Hospital

262 Mountain Highway

Wantirna, Victoria 3152

Sarah Thurlow, Kirsten Boyce and Angus Chung

HPS Pharmacies Knox

262 Mountain Highway

Wantirna, Victoria 3152

Approval number 23646M

St Vincent’s Private East Melbourne

159 Grey Street

East Melbourne, Victoria 3002

Anthony Quet Loon Ho

St Vincent’s Private Hospital Pharmacy

East Melbourne

159 Grey Street

East Melbourne, Victoria 3002

Approval number 22145M

St Vincent’s Private Hospital Fitzroy

59-61 Victoria Parade

Fitzroy, Victoria 3065

Anthony Quet Loon Ho, Samson Wai Hon Chan and John Tok Yee Hung

St Vincent’s Private Hospital Pharmacy

59-61 Victoria Parade

Fitzroy, Victoria 3065

Approval number 22815T

The Avenue Hospital

40 The Avenue

Windsor, Victoria 3181

Ramsay Health Care Australia Pty Ltd

The Avenue Hospital

40 The Avenue

Windsor, Victoria 3181

Approval number HV252Q

Warringal Private Hospital

216 Burgundy Street

Heidelberg, Victoria 3084

Ramsay Health Care Australia Pty Ltd

Warringal Private Hospital

216 Burgundy Street

Heidelberg, Victoria 3084

Approval number HV060N

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide details of the history of this legislation and its provisions. The following endnotes are included in each compilation:

 

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments

Endnote 6—Modifications

Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments

Endnote 8—Miscellaneous

 

If there is no information under a particular endnote, the word “none” will appear in square brackets after the endnote heading.

 

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key in this endnote sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

 

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

 

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended the compiled law. The information includes commencement information for amending laws and details of application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

 

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision level. It also includes information about any provisions that have expired or otherwise ceased to have effect in accordance with a provision of the compiled law.

 

Uncommenced amendments—Endnote 5

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not reflected in the text of the compiled law, but the text of the amendments is included in endnote 5.

 

Modifications—Endnote 6

If the compiled law is affected by a modification that is in force, details of the modification are included in endnote 6.

 

Misdescribed amendments—Endnote 7

An amendment is a misdescribed amendment if the effect of the amendment cannot be incorporated into the text of the compilation. Any misdescribed amendment is included in endnote 7.

 

Miscellaneous—Endnote 8

Endnote 8 includes any additional information that may be helpful for a reader of the compilation.

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

pres = present

am = amended

prev = previous

c = clause(s)

(prev) = previously

Ch = Chapter(s)

Pt = Part(s)

def = definition(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

Dict = Dictionary

Reg = Regulation/Regulations

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

reloc = relocated

Div = Division(s)

renum = renumbered

exp = expired or ceased to have effect

rep = repealed

hdg = heading(s)

rs = repealed and substituted

LI = legislative instrument

s = section(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

mod = modified/modification

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

No = Number(s)

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

o = order(s)

SR = Statutory Rules

Ord = Ordinance

Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s)

orig = original

SubPt = Subpart(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

 

 /sub-subparagraph(s)

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

FRLI registration or gazettal

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

National Health (Multiple Hospitals Paperless Claiming Trial) Special Arrangements 2012

F2012L01049

1 June 2012

 

National Health (Multiple Hospitals Paperless Claiming Trial) Special Arrangements 2012 (No.1)

F2012L01785

1 September 2012

 

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Schedule affected

How affected

 

 

The Schedule

am. F2012L01785

 

 

Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments

Endnote 6—Modifications

Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments

Endnote 8—Miscellaneous

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

The National Health (Multiple Hospitals Paperless Claiming Trial) Special Arrangement 2012 was enacted to trial a paperless claiming process for pharmaceutical benefits in multiple hospitals. This special arrangement was introduced under the authority of subsections 100(1) and (2) of the National Health Act 1953 by the Commonwealth Parliament. The primary policy objective was to streamline and enhance the efficiency of pharmaceutical benefit claims in hospital settings by adopting an electronic process that would reduce administrative burdens associated with paper-based claims. This special arrangement allows approved suppliers to supply pharmaceutical benefits to hospital in-patients as if medication charts were original prescriptions, with specific conditions for deferral and certification, and mandates the preparation and retention of electronic pharmacy records for claims purposes. The arrangement commenced on 1 June 2012, replacing a previous trial arrangement (PB 16 of 2009) and applying to the hospitals and suppliers listed in the Schedule.

Scope and Application

The National Health (Multiple Hospitals Paperless Claiming Trial) Special Arrangement 2012 applies to pharmaceutical benefits that are generally available for supply under Part VII of the National Health Act 1953, within the specified hospitals listed in the Schedule to these arrangements. It does not apply to pharmaceutical benefits that can only be supplied under Part VII of the Act in accordance with any other Special Arrangement under section 100 of the Act. The Act applies to approved suppliers who are authorised to supply pharmaceutical benefits to in-patients of the hospitals specified in the Schedule. This special arrangement is applicable to the states and territories of Australia and is subject to revocation and amendment through subordinate instruments. The scope of this arrangement is limited to the supply and claiming of pharmaceutical benefits in the context of the trial, and it excludes other pharmaceutical benefits not covered under this special arrangement. The arrangement aims to streamline the process of supplying and claiming pharmaceutical benefits for in-patients within the trial hospitals by treating medication charts as original prescriptions, provided certain conditions are met.

Key Provisions

The National Health (Multiple Hospitals Paperless Claiming Trial) Special Arrangement 2012 (sections 1-9) sets out the framework for a trial that allows for paperless claiming of pharmaceutical benefits for in-patients at certain hospitals. This Special Arrangement specifies which hospitals and approved suppliers are involved in the trial (section 1). It commences on 1 June 2012 and revokes the previous Special Arrangement, PB 16 of 2009 (sections 2 and 3). The definitions section clarifies terms such as 'Act', 'approved supplier', 'hospital', and 'pharmaceutical benefit' (section 4). The Act applies to pharmaceutical benefits generally available under Part VII of the National Health Act 1953, excluding those requiring a specific Special Arrangement (section 5). This Special Arrangement applies to medication charts prepared by PBS prescribers for in-patients, treating them as valid prescriptions under certain conditions (section 7). It also governs the supply and claiming of pharmaceutical benefits by approved suppliers, requiring electronic pharmacy records and adherence to specific notification requirements (sections 8 and 9). The obligations imposed by this Act on the involved parties include the preparation and signing of medication charts by PBS prescribers, certification of pharmaceutical benefit supplies by approved suppliers, and the maintenance of electronic pharmacy records for a year (sections 7 and 8). Hospitals and approved suppliers must also comply with any notifications from the Chief Executive Medicare to submit copies of medication charts or electronic pharmacy records to the Human Services Department (section 8). Approved suppliers must ensure that their claims for pharmaceutical benefits supplied to in-patients conform to the requirements for online claims (section 8). The Act imposes several consequences for breaches. Approved suppliers and hospitals must ensure compliance with all requirements, including the preparation and certification of medication charts and the maintenance of records. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in invalid claims and potential penalties. For instance, supplying pharmaceutical benefits without proper certification or failing to maintain required records could lead to financial penalties or other enforcement actions by Medicare. The specific penalties are not detailed in the text provided but generally, non-compliance with Medicare requirements can lead to fines and other sanctions under the National Health Act 1953.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Health Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Commencement Provisions
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
Compliance Obligations
Pharmaceutical Benefits

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.