Medicare Australia Indigenous Access Programs

1. Medicare AustraliaIndigenous Access Programs Indigenous Access Program 1800 556 955

2. NSW TEAM • Manager: Lachlan Wright • Support: Jamie Matthews • MLOs: Debbie Green Andrea Walker Elizabeth Goodfellow • Cadet: Rhys Appo

3. IAP NSW • The IAP was established in 2000 to : • support and promote Medicare Australia’s Indigenous specific initiatives and policies • improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s access to Medicare Australia’s programs, including Medicare, PBS and ACIR; and • - to help Indigenous health service providers to maximise their claiming, and assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to fully utilise these programs.

4. HEALTH SERVICES 30 Section 19/2 AMS’s - • Lachlan, Jamie, Andrea (Sydney, Nth/Sth Coast, Riverina) - 15 • Debbie (Armidale Region) - 8 • Liz (Dubbo Region) - 7 • 31 Aboriginal Health Services

6. SERVICING OUR NETWORK HOW DO WE DO THIS? • Work Together • Face to Face • Outreach Visits • Phone and Email Contact • Mail • Training Session • Provide up to date Stationery and Information • Make contact with other Stakeholders involved with Indigenous Health

7. HOW OFTEN DO WE DO THIS • Three Month Turnaround • As Needs Basis - staff turn over, - new GP, - administration problems with claiming, - new program starting, - new MBS with changes to item numbers, rules and legislation, - special requests by CEO/Practice Manager

8. OUR THOUGHTS • Build Relationships Before Training, Advising or Educating • Face to Face – vital for relationship building • Don’t Promise What We Can’t Deliver • Commitment to Local Communities

9. CANDID SHOTS OF OUR ACTIVITIES

10. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Employment Line1800 556 955 - is a dedicated number exclusively for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and service providers - operates from our State Headquarters - is supported by the MLOs and support staff - Also give advise to Indigenous people applying for jobs within Medicare