ADA welcomes legislation re dental scheme audits

The Australian Dental Association welcomed legislation which will provide a better process for waiving dentists' debts under the former Medicare Chronic Disease Dental Scheme (CDDS).

The Association applauded Health Minister Peter Dutton (pictured) for rectifying injustices created by over-rigorous pursuit of dentists for refunds of benefits paid under the CDDS.

 “Minister Dutton is to be congratulated for his common sense approach to resolving the administrative issues that occurred under the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme”, ADA President Dr Karin Alexander said.

“The dental profession has been in discussion with the Department of Human Services, the Department of Health and several former Federal Health and Human Services Ministers for a very long time trying to resolve the confusion that existed with the administrative requirements relating to the CDDS and we are very grateful for Minister Dutton’s leadership in sorting this situation out once and for all.”

Introducing the Dental Benefits Legislation Amendment Bill 2014, Mr Dutton told Parliament that the waiving will apply to “dentists who did nothing more than make minor paperwork errors and who have been waiting too long for adequate resolution”.

The legislation amends the Health Insurance Act 1973 and the Dental Benefits Act 2008.

The Bill also introduces amendments to bring the compliance framework for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule into greater alignment with Medicare’s compliance framework.

Opposition Shadow Health Minister Catherine King said: “This Government is determined to restrict access to health services and has no plan for the families who cannot afford dental care for their children”.