11.1Rehabilitation Appliances Program

11.1 Rehabilitation Appliances Program

11.1.1 The Commission may provide:

(a) surgical appliances; and

(b) appliances for self-help and rehabilitation purposes;

unless those appliances could be provided by the Commission under a Part of the Act other than Part 3 of Chapter 6 of the Act.

Note: appliances could be provided as part of a rehabilitation program under Chapter 3 of the Act or as a modification to a motor vehicle under Chapter 4 of the Act.

Note: the RAP National Schedule of Equipment and the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) National Guidelines are DVA documents that provide guidance to the Commission and to prescribers and suppliers in relation to the provision of surgical aids and appliances for self-help and rehabilitation to entitled persons.

11.1.2 The aim of the Rehabilitation Appliances Program is to restore, facilitate or maintain functional independence and/or minimise disability or dysfunction as part of the provision of quality care to entitled persons.

11.1.3 Appliances shall be provided:

(a) according to an assessed clinically indicated need; and

(b) in an efficient manner of delivery; and

(c) towards meeting health care objectives; and

(d) in a cost effective manner; and

(e) on a timely basis.

11.1.4 An appliance that is provided should be:

(a) appropriate for its purpose; and

(b) safe for the particular entitled beneficiary; and

(c) part of the overall management of health care for the entitled person;

but should not be an item that is customarily used for domestic purposes and would be used merely for such a purpose by the entitled person.