This information is for people who want to find out more about why they have been asked
to have a diagnostic test and what it could involve – so that they can make an informed
choice about it.
Why do I even need this test?
Informed Consent Issues Paper
In consultations conducted by the CHF over many years, consumers have raised concerns over the lack of informed consent and informed financial consent processes when making decisions about their healthcare. This is of particular concern in the context of rising out-of-pocket healthcare costs and...
Checklist for Secretariats
Committee secretariats can the contribution of a consumer representative on a by supporting his or her involvement. This checklist, developed by the Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) provides some useful tips. Although the checklist is not exhaustive, it provides some useful pointers.
Confidentiality guidelines - Info for Consumer Reps
This fact sheet helps consumer representatives decide what is confidential. It is a guide only,
different committees may have different requirements and consumer representatives should
clarify these with their committee’s secretariat. Even where a committee member is not
required to sign a...
Consumer Representative Guideline Inserts
This resource helps Consumer Reps think through some of the issues they're likely to face, and makes suggestions about how to solve them.
What is the MBS?
The benefits you receive from Medicare are based on a Schedule of fees for medical services set by the Australian Government. The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) lists a wide range of consultations, procedures and tests, and the Schedule fee for each of these items(for example, an appointment with your GP or blood tests to monitor your cholesterol level.)