General News
10 February, 2025
Reimbursement delays an insult: MP
The Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme is designed to reimburse residents living in regional parts of the state for accommodation and travel expenses incurred when travelling for medical care.
But Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, said patients were having to wait months and months to have these costs reimbursed – longer than the original six to eight weeks promised.
"I’m hearing too often from affected residents who are enduring long waits for their travel costs to be reimbursed," Ms Benham said.
"This delay is causing additional stress during what is already a very challenging time for people requiring specialist medical treatment."
Ms Benham described the situation as an insult to regional and rural Victorians.
“Obtaining a specialist appointment is hard enough as it is,” she said.
“With the increasing costs of living, to then have to pay upfront costs and wait months for reimbursement places an unnecessary burden on regional Victorians."
Have you been affected by delays in reimbursement by VPTAS? Let us know by emailing zoey@wmnews.com.au