Stoma Appliance Scheme
(Australia only)

Stoma Appliances - Background: Stoma Appliance Scheme
The Stoma Appliance Scheme has been in operation since 1962.

Under the Scheme, people who are required to wear an ostomy appliance, either permanently or temporarily, receive stoma appliances and associated pharmaceutical products through a stoma association of which they must be a member. Apart from membership fees, which are not expensive, ostomates are not faced with any further charges.

The associations purchase and supply appliances and peripherals and also act as a support group to people who have to wear an ostomy product after having a stoma created by surgery.

The associations are reimbursed for purchase costs and paid an administration fee by the Health Insurance Commission using funding provided by the Department of Human Services and Health.

The Department is responsible for pricing policy, negotiating price increases and admission to the Scheme of new appliances and accessories.

For further information regarding the Stoma Appliance Scheme, please contact: Health Priorities and Suicide Prevention Branch
Phone:(02) 6289 8070, or direct your enquiry to the above branch by clicking here.

The above information was produced by The Health Services Improvement Division, extracted from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing website, and was last modified on 28/07/2000.
URL: http://www.mentalhealth.gov.au/programs/sa/bk.htm