Government extends EPC dental scheme

Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott announced today that eligible patients receiving dental treatment under the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Scheme would now receive up to $4250 worth of Medicare funded care over two consecutive years.

This news was welcomed by ADA President Dr John Matthews, who said "the ADA had understood that the Enhanced Primary Care program would provide eligible patients with a rebate of $2000 per annum. The announcement of the rebate being $4000 over two years will enable a more comprehensive delivery of dental treatment to help those patients more effectively deal with the complications of chronic illness."

While the ADA welcomed the increase, it also expressed concern that funding has not been targetted to the financially disadvantaged and particularly those 650,000 on dental waiting lists. Similar concerns were also expressed by the Opposition.
These new Medicare EPC arrangements are due to commence from 1 November 2007, subject to the passage of legislation. The new dental service arrangements involve an estimated cost of about $380m over four years.