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Table 1 Unit costs of allied health and community services in Australia

From: A systematic review of the unit costs of allied health and community services used by older people in Australia

Services

Cost given by individual studies 2011 $AD

Mean (SD), range

Physiotherapy

  

Public Hospital Service

$50.10 [18], $76.10 [20] $73.40 [10], $72.14 [22]

$67.94 per hour (12.00) $41.26-$76.10

Group

$29.09 [23], $27.35 [24]

$28.22 per patient (1.23)

Hydrotherapy

$15.77 [20], $35.80 [24]

$25.79 per patient (14.16)

Outreach

$212.19 [18]

$212.19

Private per visit

$76.50 [19], $51.44 [20]

$ 63.97per consultation (17.72)

First consultation

$96.32 [23], $100.40 [10], $91.18 [17], $69.24 [3]

$89.29 per consultation (13.89) $69.24-$100.40

Second consultation

$61.63 [10], $70.14 [17], $55.39 [3]

$62.39 per consultation (7.4) $51.44-$70.14

Medicare Benefits Schedule

$59.90-Fee $50.95- Rebate [5]

$55.43 per consultation

Special Population Veterans’ Affairs

$60.53 [17], $61.10 (initial & standard) [24]1

$60.82 per consultation ($60.53-$76.70)

Hourly rate

 

$157.75 per hour

Percentage difference between the private and the MBS fee

 

62-89% of the private fee

Fee suggested by professional association (National)

 

$79.25 (initial consultation) $66.95 (subsequent visits)

Occupational Therapy

  

Private per visit

$71.30 [23], $76.50 [19], $76.10 [20], $37.81 [25], $69.24 [3] (initial), $55.39 [3] (subsequent)

$64.39 per consultation (15.12) $37.81-$85.80

Medicare Benefits Schedule

$59.90-Fee $50.95- Rebate [5]2

$55.43 per consultation

Special Population Veterans’ Affairs

$61.10 (initial & standard) 3

$61.10 per consultation $61.10-$111.25

Group Therapy

$21.95 per person [24]

$21.95 per person

Hourly rate

 

$150.77 per hour

Percentage difference between the private and the MBS fee

 

86-146% of the private fee

Fee suggested by professional association (Victoria)

 

$120.00 per consultation (expected 1 hour duration)

Dietetics

  

Private per visit

$60.89 [6]

$60.89 per consultation

First consultation

$82.28 [7], $105.16 [17]

$93.72 per consultation (16.18)

Second consultation

$61.71 [17]

$61.71 per consultation

Medicare Benefits Schedule

$59.90 - Fee $50.95- Rebate [5]

$55.43 per consultation

Special Population Veterans’ Affairs

$85.30 (initial), $61.10 (standard) [24]4

$73.20 per consultation

Hourly rate

$182.66 [7]

$163.11 per hour

Percentage difference between the private and the MBS fee

 

53-91% of the private fee

Fee suggested by professional association

 

Private practitioner survey $70-$130 per hour

Psychological Services

  

Private per visit

$93.56 [23]

$93.56 per consultation

Medicare Benefits Schedule

$59.90- Fee $50.95- Rebate [5]5

$55.43 per consultation

Special Population Veterans’ Affairs

Psychologist

$69.35 (20–50 minutes) 6

$97.90 (50 + minutes)

$146.90 (90 + minutes)

Clinical Psychology

$97.90 (30–50 minutes) 7

$143.70 (50 + minutes)

$215.60 (90 + minutes

Hourly rate

 

$165.77

Percentage difference between the private and the MBS fee

 

59% of the private fee

Fee suggested by professional association

 

$222.00 per one hour consultation

Community Nursing

  

Private per visit

$74.37 [20], $37.81 [26]

$56.09 per consultation (25.85)

Per hour

$69.24 [3], $82.47 [16], $28.85 [22]

$60.19 per hour (27.93)

Special Population Veterans’ Affairs

Average 8

$40.47 ($37.65- $43.28) -20 minute visit

Hourly rate

 

$105.76 per hour

Percentage difference between the private and the MBS fee

 

80-118% of the private fee

Fee suggested by professional association

 

No recommended fee by association Private agencies $46.94-$69.40 per hour

Podiatry

  

Private per visit

$22.95 [20]

$22.95 per consultation

First consultation

$66.85 [17]

$66.85 per consultation

Second consultation

$61.71 [17]

$61.71 per consultation

Medicare Benefits Schedule

$59.90- Fee $50.95- Rebate [5]

$55.43 per consultation

Special Population Veterans’ Affairs

$61.10 (standard) [24]9

$61.10 per consultation

Hourly rate

 

$129.72

Percentage difference between the private and the MBS fee

 

79-92% of the private fee

Fee suggested by professional association

 

Based on market demand ($60-$70 per consultation)

Staff travel

0.38c per km [19], 0.73c per km [26], 0.69c per km (0.63c per km- 0.75c per km) 11

0.60c per km (0.17)

Community Services

  

Personal care

$34.23 [20], $28.07 [26], $46.89 [16] per hour

$36.40 per hour (9.6)

Meals on wheels

$6.56 per meal [20], $20.00 [16], $6.75 ($4.50-$9.00) 10

$11.10 per meal (7.71)

Patient transport

$6.56 per trip (council/hospital provided) [20], $18.22 per trip [16]

$12.39 per trip (8.25)

Domestic services

$18.36 per service [20], $38.31 per service [16]

Domestic care rates per hour 12

$39.07 (Monday-Friday)

$48.52 (Saturday)

$57.31 (Sunday)

Gardening $52.26 ($30.00-$60.00) per service (10 providers)

 

Handyman rates $50.80 ($40-$80.30) per service (10 providers)

  1. 1 $64.74 extended consult, $65.65 standard in institution, $76.70 extended consult (home).
  2. 2Specialist OT services (mental health) $50.95-$59.90 (20–50 minutes) $71.95-$84.60 (50 minutes +).
  3. 3$111.25 (50+ minutes- out of rooms).
  4. 4 $106.60 (extended).
  5. 5 Specialist Psych services - $57.80-$68.00 (20–50 minutes), $81.60-$96.00 (50 + minutes) Clinical Psychology- $81.60-$96.00 (30–50 minutes), $119.80-$140.90 (50+ minutes).
  6. 6 Out of rooms - $94.35 (20–50 minutes).
  7. 7 Out of rooms $122.35 (30–50 minutes), $168.15 (50+ minutes), $252.25 (90+ minutes), Neuropsychological Assessment (1–4 hours) $574.80.
  8. 8 Complex community nursing schedule of fees, which is dependent on the type of service provided, including: clinical mentoring, medication administration, palliative care and personal care.
  9. 9 Out of rooms $68.95.
  10. 10 Direct contact with service provider – meals on wheels NSW.
  11. 11Direct contact with Australian Taxation Office.
  12. 12 Direct contact with service providers (11 providers).