2011 PBS copayment and Safety Net amounts
1 January 2011
PBS patient contributions (copayments) and Safety Net thresholds are adjusted annually in line with changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
From 1 January 2011, the amounts are:
- general patient copayment $34.20 up 90 cents from $33.30
- concessional copayment $5.60 up 20 cents from $5.40
- general Safety Net $1,317.20 up $35.90 from $1,281.30
- concessional Safety Net $336.00 up $12 from $324.00
How are changes in PBS copayments and Safety Nets calculated?
The method for indexing these amounts is set out in the National Health Act. An indexation
factor is calculated using the CPI for the September quarter of the year ending and
for the same quarter the previous year. The indexation factor for 2011 is 1.028. This
factor is applied to the PBS amounts for 2010 and the resulting figures rounded to
the nearest 10 cents.
The concessional Safety Net threshold is equal to concessional patient payments for 60 prescriptions.
The concessional copayment and Safety Net amounts also apply to the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) for veterans.
Further information is available on the Fees, Patient Contributions and Safety Net Thresholds page
