Commonwealth Numbered Acts Commonwealth Numbered Acts
No. 41, 2008
Contents
1............ Short title............................................................................................ 1
2............ Commencement.................................................................................. 2
3............ Simplified outline................................................................................ 2
4............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 3
5............ Meaning of eligible dental patient....................................................... 5
6............ Meaning of dental provider................................................................ 5
7............ Meaning of rendered on behalf of a dental provider.......................... 6
Part 2--Entitlement to dental benefits 7
8............ Simplified outline................................................................................ 7
9............ Entitlement to dental benefits............................................................. 7
Part 3--Payment of dental benefits 8
Division 1--Introduction 8
10.......... Simplified outline................................................................................ 8
Division 2--Payment of dental benefits 9
11.......... Payment of dental benefits to persons who incur dental expenses.... 9
12.......... Assignment of dental benefits............................................................ 9
13.......... Payment of assigned dental benefits................................................. 10
14.......... Payment of dental benefits to dental providers if a request is made 10
Division 3--Claims for dental benefits 12
15.......... Claims for dental benefits................................................................. 12
16.......... Application for a longer period to lodge claims for assigned dental benefits 13
Division 4--When dental benefit is not payable 14
17.......... Dental benefit is not payable unless particulars are recorded on the account etc. 14
18.......... Dental benefit is not payable unless conditions specified in the Dental Benefits Rules are satisfied 14
19.......... Dental benefit is not payable if a benefit has been received etc. under a complying health insurance policy 15
20.......... Dental benefit is not payable in respect of a dental service rendered as part of an episode of hospital treatment etc........................................................................................................... 15
21.......... Dental Benefits Rules may provide that dental benefit is not payable 16
Part 4--Dental benefits vouchers 18
Division 1--Introduction 18
22.......... Simplified outline.............................................................................. 18
Division 2--Qualification for vouchers 19
23.......... Qualification for a voucher--teenagers............................................. 19
24.......... When a person satisfies the means test............................................ 19
25.......... Dental Benefits Rules must specify certain matters........................ 21
26.......... Qualification for a voucher--other persons..................................... 22
Division 3--Issue of vouchers and other matters 23
27.......... Medicare Australia CEO must issue vouchers................................. 23
28.......... When voucher is not required to be issued--person dies................. 24
29.......... When voucher is not required to be issued--circumstances specified in the Dental Benefit Rules 24
30.......... Voucher must specify dental service................................................ 24
31.......... Voucher remains in effect until the end of a calendar year............... 24
32.......... Dental Benefits Rules may provide for other matters...................... 25
Part 5--Disclosure of protected information 26
Division 1--Introduction 26
33.......... Simplified outline.............................................................................. 26
Division 2--Disclosure of protected information 27
34.......... Prohibition on disclosure of protected information.......................... 27
35.......... Authorised disclosure--official duties............................................. 28
36.......... Authorised disclosure--public interest............................................ 28
37.......... Authorised disclosure--authorisation by affected person............... 28
38.......... Authorised disclosure--enforcement of the criminal law etc........... 29
39.......... Authorised disclosure--preventing or lessening a serious and imminent threat to the life or health of a person 29
40.......... Authorised disclosure--professional body...................................... 30
41.......... Authorised disclosure--administration of this Act.......................... 30
42.......... Disclosure of protected information to courts or tribunals.............. 31
Division 3--Offences relating to the disclosure etc. of protected information 32
43.......... Offence--disclosure of protected information obtained in the public interest 32
44.......... Offence--soliciting disclosure of protected information.................. 32
45.......... Offence--use etc. of protected information..................................... 32
46.......... Offence--offering to supply protected information........................ 33
Part 6--General offences and recovery provisions 34
Division 1--Introduction 34
47.......... Simplified outline.............................................................................. 34
Division 2--Offences relating to assignment agreements 35
48.......... Strict liability offence--particulars not set out in assignment agreement 35
49.......... Strict liability offence--copy of assignment agreement not given... 35
Division 3--Offences relating to the giving of information 36
50.......... Strict liability offence--false or misleading statements relating to dental benefit 36
51.......... Strict liability offence--false or misleading statements by employees etc. 36
52.......... Offence--statement that person knows is false or misleading......... 37
53.......... Offence--statement based on statement that employee etc. knows is false or misleading 38
54.......... False statements etc.......................................................................... 38
55.......... Prosecution of certain offences......................................................... 38
Division 4--Recovery of amounts paid because of false or misleading statements 40
56.......... Recovery of amounts paid because of false or misleading statements 40
57.......... Interest payable on amounts paid because of false or misleading statements 40
58.......... Reduction in dental benefit payments because of previous overpayments 42
Part 7--Dental Benefits Rules 43
59.......... Simplified outline.............................................................................. 43
60.......... Minister may make Dental Benefits Rules....................................... 43
61.......... Dental Benefits Schedule.................................................................. 44
62.......... Specification of items in Dental Benefits Schedule may be conditional 44
Part 8--Other matters 46
63.......... Simplified outline.............................................................................. 46
64.......... Additional functions of the Medicare Australia CEO...................... 46
65.......... Appropriation.................................................................................. 46
66.......... Delegation......................................................................................... 47
67.......... Regulations....................................................................................... 47
68.......... Review of operation of Act.............................................................. 47
No. 41, 2008
An Act to provide a framework for the provision of dental benefits, and for related purposes
[Assented to 25 June 2008]
The Parliament of Australia enacts: