Joint Statement PSAAP Meeting 3 June 2021

The PSAAP Group met virtually to discuss the draft Prescription Notice for 2021/22.

• PSAAP agreed that the 2021/22 Prescription Notice will be implemented via a voluntary variation to the PHOSA to take effect from 1 July 2021.

• The voluntary variation will invest over $56 million¹ of new Ministry of Health and DHB funding into general practice teams and PHOs through the 2021/22 annual rate change process.

• A 2.78% rate increase will apply to First Contact, Immunisation Administration, Services to Improve Access, and Care Plus.

• A 2% rate increase will apply to Health Promotion, Management Services and Rural Workforce Retention.

• It was recognised that patient co-payment levels for non-Very Low Cost Access (non-VLCA) adults and young people 14 and over may increase by up to 2.78% from 1 July 2021 and that this may increase the co-payment differential with VLCA practices.

• It was acknowledged that additional investment was being made to keep the maximum co-payment thresholds for VLCA practices and eligible CSC holders at the existing level of $13 per visit for eligible children 14 to 17 years old and $19.50 per visit for eligible adult enrolees.

• It was acknowledged that investment was being made to keep the co-payments for general practice visits and fully funded prescriptions at zero cost for enrolled children under the age of 14 years at the point of care.

¹ This is subject to variation due to demographic changes in PHO enrolment registers.