Organization : Department of Human Services
Scheme Name : Cleft Lip & Cleft Palate Scheme
Country : Australia
Website : https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/cleft-lip-and-cleft-palate-scheme
Human Services Cleft Lip & Cleft Palate Scheme
Medical benefits to help with treatment costs for cleft lip and cleft palate conditions.
Related : Department of Human Services Pension Loans Scheme Australia : www.statusin.org/41960.html
Eligibility Basics
** you’re enrolled in Medicare
** you’re under 28
** before you turned 22 a doctor diagnosed you with a cleft lip, cleft palate or similar condition and you started treatment
Who Can Get Treatment?
You can get treatment under the scheme if :
** you’re enrolled in Medicare
** a health professional certified you with a cleft lip, cleft palate or other eligible condition before you turned 22 years of age – you can ask your health professional if your condition is eligible under the scheme
** your treatment by an approved health professional started before you turned 22, and
** you’re under 28 when you get treatment
What are the Age Limits
i. You must start your treatment under the scheme before you turn 22.
ii. Your treatment under the scheme will stop when you turn 28.
What May be Different
If you’re over 28 and need repairs to reconstructive work you had under the scheme, your treating health professional can apply for approval for additional treatment.
If we :
** approve the repairs, you can claim Medicare benefits for the treatment cost
** don’t approve the repairs, Medicare won’t cover them and you’ll need to pay for the treatment cost yourself
What Treatment the Scheme Covers
The dental treatment you can get under the scheme includes :
** some orthodontic work
** simple and surgical extraction of teeth
** some general and prosthodontic services by your family dentist, or
** oral and maxillofacial surgery
You can get Medicare benefits for your treatment under the scheme if it’s done by an orthodontist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon or dentist we recognise.
Before you start treatment, ask your health professional if they can do your treatment under the scheme. If they can’t, you won’t get Medicare benefits for your treatment and you may need to pay.
Chronic Disease Management Plan
If you’ve had a chronic medical condition for at least 6 months or it’s terminal, you and your GP can agree to a Chronic Disease Management Plan.
Your GP will write a plan that :
** identifies your health care needs
** sets out the services your GP provides, and
** lists what you need to do
If you have complex care needs in addition to a chronic or terminal disease, your GP may also develop Team Care Arrangements (TCA). This identifies the treatment you get from your GP and at least 2 other health professionals.
If you’re eligible and your GP prepares the plan, you may also get Medicare benefits for specific allied health services. For example physiotherapy services. Talk to your doctor to find out more about the plans.