What Is The Isolated Patient Travel Assistance Scheme?

Unfortunately for many Australians, the medical treatment they need is hundreds of kilometres away. People who live in regional or rural areas often have to travel long distances to get treatment, and this is not always an easy task. 

With this in mind, the NSW Government introduced the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS). The scheme provides financial assistance for travel and accommodation costs when a patient needs to travel a long distance for treatment that is not available locally.

While this support can be very helpful, it is important to note that not all patients are eligible for IPTAAS. In this article, we take a look at IPTAAS in more detail and provide an eligibility framework to help guide the application process for you.

Who is eligible for the Isolated Patient Travel Assistance Scheme?

There are a number of factors around IPTAAS eligibility, which is why we have created the following checklist. Find out if you are eligible for the Isolated Patient Travel Assistance Scheme below.

I am eligible for the Isolated Patient Travel Assistance Scheme. What next?

Once you have applied and are registered with the Isolated Patient Travel Assistance Scheme, the scheme can reimburse you for travel costs associated with your treatment including air travel if you need to fly for medical reasons.

However, if you do need to fly, you will need to ask your referring doctor or treating practitioner to get an air approval code. This code will then be registered on your application and will ensure that you receive the full cost (excluding GST) of your flights.

If you do choose to fly and don’t have an air approval code then IPTAAS will reimburse you at the same rate as private car travel (for the distance between your home and the treatment address) or the cost of the flight (excluding GST) – whichever is the lesser amount.

You may receive the following reimbursements:

• 22 cents/km for private car travel
• Full reimbursement for public transport (minus GST)
• Full reimbursement for approved air travel (minus GST)
• Taxi reimbursement at the following maximum rate:

1 day appointment – $20 maximum

2 – 7 day appointment - $40 maximum

8 – 14 day appointment - $80 maximum

15 or more days appointment – $160 maximum

What about accommodation?

The Isolated Patients Travel Assistance Scheme can also provide financial support for accommodation.

If you are staying with a friend or relative, you and your carer may be eligible for a subsidy of $20/night regardless of the number of nights you stay; $40 if you’re with your carer, or; $20/person if you’re staying in Airbnb accommodation.

If you’re staying in a not-for-profit organisation, for the first seven nights in a financial year you’ll be reimbursed at $43/night for single occupancy or $60/night if you’re staying with your carer. Additional nights during the same financial year will be reimbursed at $65/night for single or $85/night if you are staying with your carer.

If you’re staying in for-profit accommodation, each financial year you will be reimbursed:

• 1 – 7 nights: $43/night for single occupancy or $60/night if with carer
• 8 – 14 nights: $80/night for single occupancy or $105/night if with carer
• 15+ nights: $105/night for single occupancy or $120/night if with carer

What kind of treatments are eligible for the Isolated Patient Travel Assistance Scheme?

IPTAAS will provide travel and accommodation assistance for patients who need to travel long distances for specialist treatment: 

• From an approved specialist medical practitioner
• At one of the approved Allied Health Clinics, or
• From an approved Prosthetist/Orthotist as defined by IPTAAS.

For more information or to apply for the IPTAAS, please visit iptaas.health.nsw.gov.au.

Hire mobility equipment for your trip with Active Mobility Systems

While we cannot assist with IPTAAS, we can provide temporary mobility equipment to get you from point A to B with ease. From wheelchairs to crutches and more, we have equipment available to hire to make the process simpler.

With a minimum hire period of one week, you can keep your mobility equipment with you as long as you need it — plus, our team will deliver your equipment directly to your door. 

For more information on hiring mobility equipment for the duration of your treatment, visit our hire page and make a request online, or contact us on 1800 543 837 today.