|
NSW
Isolated Patients’ Travel and Accommodation
Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS)
|
SOME
HELPFUL HINTS TO MAKE THE SYSTEM WORK FOR YOU |
This
has been compiled by the parent of a child with a cochlear implant who
has travelled regularly to Sydney for services and shares her experiences
of negotiating the IPTAAS System - it does get easier! |
| A.
Step-by-Step guide |
- Organise your flight
as soon as it is appropriate. Certain companies may have certain deals
e.g. 14 days in advance is cheaper but have to pay within 3 days. Pay
with a credit card, if possible.
- Ring your local
doctor’s secretary and get them to ring the local IPTAAS. (Give
them the name of the person you deal with at IPTAAS). They need to ask
for a “pre-approval to fly referral number”.
- The doctor’s
secretary can then fill in that part of the form. They will give this
to you before you go on a trip.
- You fill in as
much of the form as you can before you go.
- When you see specialist
for mapping etc. give them the form to give to the ENT’s secretary.
- ENT will sign and
send back to you.
- You check over
the form, attach required receipts and send it to the local IPTAAS office
marked for the attention of the nominated person you always speak to.
- BEWARE - IPTAAS
does not reimburse the GST on flights.
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| B.
Establish good relationships with: |
- Secretary at ENT
- Secretary of your
local GP
- One person at the
local airport who knows what’s going on – you will see them
all the time so this is easy!
Hints: Send them a photo of your child. Send thank you notes for helping.
If you are annoyed with ‘the system’ don’t take it
out on them!
|
| C.
Applications for quicker payments (or in advance)
|
Iptaas claims can take
a long time. However there are ways to get around this, and payments can
actually be made up front!
Ring your local office and
talk to person you have established a rapport with
Explain circumstances, i.e.
regularity of flying/ impossibility of covering those sums of money out
of family budget
Reimbursement can be hurried
along, made up front, paid straight into a personal account rather than
by cheque. (Check with IPTAAS which kind of account can be used for this.)
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| D.
Country Care Link – a helpful service offered
by the Sisters of Charity |
| Talk
so Sister Enid, Co-ordinator Tel: 1800 806 160 They offer:
- Advice on short-term
accommodation
- Can arrange for
you to be picked up and dropped off at the airport
- Offer hospital
visits for a chat or company
|
| E.
Reasons to fly |
This is a question
asked of the Doctor to explain the necessity for flying. Here are some reasons:-
Other siblings to care for back home so it saves time
if one can fly and get back home sooner.
Loss of income due to time spent driving vs flying.
Strain on the child travelling for long periods so they
are less able to perform well in tests, appointments, mapping etc. when
they arrive.
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| For
more information about IPTAAS, visit the NSW
Department of Health web site. |
