Funding and assistance – Individuals and families

How do I sign up?

Closing the Gap programs help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have a chronic disease or are at risk of developing a chronic disease. People can sign up for Closing the Gap programs with their general practitioner (GP) or practice staff at their usual health care provider. There are two programs that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can sign up for:

1. Closing the Gap Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Co-payment Measure : provides low-cost or free medications for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have a chronic disease or are at risk of getting a chronic disease. Once individuals or family members spend a certain amount on PBS medicines in a year, they reach a PBS Safety Net threshold. Individuals must apply for a PBS Safety Net card and medicines will then either be free for concession card holders or a low cost for general patients.

A new national registration database was launched by Services Australia for the expanded Closing the Gap PBS Co-payment Program in 2021. All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to speak with their health service, GP or pharmacy to check they are registered in the new database via the Services Australia Health Professional Online Services (HPOS) portal by Thursday 30 June 2022, otherwise they may have to pay more for their medications.

2. Practice Incentives Program (PIP) – Indigenous Health Incentive (IHI) : provides help for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and older with chronic diseases. Chronic diseases include asthma, cancer, cardiovascular illness, diabetes, musculoskeletal conditions, stroke and other conditions. To sign up a Medicare card is needed. This program covers:

• • health checks (often bulk-billed)
  • visits with eligible allied health services and/or visits with a practice nurse or Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker or Health Practitioner (needs a referral from your GP)
  • eye checks.

What if I live in a remote community?

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live in a remote location Medicare has the Remote Area Aboriginal Health Services (RAAHS or AHS) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) who travel to remote areas to help people access their payments and services. RAAHS provide eligible PBS medicines for free to patients in remote areas.

What if my GP doesn’t know about Closing the Gap programs?

It’s possible that some GPs might not be aware of Closing the Gap programs. If this is the case, a good place for them to start is reading the resource that Medicare has written specifically for health care professionals called Your guide to Medicare for Indigenous health services.

Have questions?

• Talk to Medicare

  Medicare has the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Line to answer your questions about Medicare’s services. This phone line is supported by staff who are culturally aware of the special conditions that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Line: 1800 556 955 (freecall)
  • Information about Medicare services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can be found on their website.

• Contact your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health service

  They may be able to help you locate the health care service you need. See our list of medical/health services.

• Contact your state or territory Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO)

  They may be able to help you find information about health services in your area:

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