Medical costs

The Care Allowance covers the child’s general medical costs, including visits to the doctor, prescription and non-prescription medications.

Some out-of-pocket expenses approved in the case plan may be covered by the department or LWB. These include medical specialists, counselling, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, medical aids, dental and orthodontic treatment, glasses and long-term prescription medications not covered under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Talk to your care team about this before you purchase items if you are unsure.

Health care-related travel assistance

You may be able to get help with travel costs associated with taking the child in your care to specialist medical appointments. This includes help with fares, petrol for kilometers travelled and parking costs.

Discuss this with your care team before you travel.

Private health insurance

Contact your private health insurance provider to add a child in your care to your family policy. Some insurers allow you to add a child up to the age of 21 to your existing family health cover for free. If your insurer charges you to add the child to your existing policy, the cost is to be met from the Care Allowance.