Health system spending on the response to COVID-19 in Australia 2019-20 to 2021-22

Web report

Last updated: 29 Nov 2023

Media release

AIHW

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) Health system spending on the response to COVID-19 in Australia 2019-20 to 2021-22, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 15 May 2024.

APA

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023). Health system spending on the response to COVID-19 in Australia 2019-20 to 2021-22. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/health-welfare-expenditure/health-system-spending-on-the-response-to-covid-19

MLA

Health system spending on the response to COVID-19 in Australia 2019-20 to 2021-22. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 29 November 2023, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/health-welfare-expenditure/health-system-spending-on-the-response-to-covid-19

Vancouver

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Health system spending on the response to COVID-19 in Australia 2019-20 to 2021-22 [Internet]. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023 [cited 2024 May. 15]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/health-welfare-expenditure/health-system-spending-on-the-response-to-covid-19

Harvard

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2023, Health system spending on the response to COVID-19 in Australia 2019-20 to 2021-22, viewed 15 May 2024, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/health-welfare-expenditure/health-system-spending-on-the-response-to-covid-19

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Technical notes

Data sources

National Health Funding Body

The main sources of information for this web report are National Health Funding Body’s NPCR payments data that contains detailed estimates of NPCR payments made by the commonwealth to states and territories and contribution of the state and territory governments towards NPCR.

AIHW Health Expenditure Database

The Australian Government’s spending on COVID–19 through Department of Health and Aged Care was taken from AIHW’s Health Expenditure Database which contains data on the money spent by all levels of governments as well as non–government entities such as individuals, private health insurers, and injury compensation insurers.

IQVIA

IQVIA is a company that is a global provider of advanced analytics clinical research, commercialization, real-world evidence solutions, and technology services to the life sciences industry. IQVIA plays a crucial role in supporting pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as healthcare providers and government agencies, in their efforts to improve patient outcomes and advance the healthcare industry.

OECD

The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co–operation and Development) is an international organization composed of member countries that collaborate on economic and social policies. The OECD had 38 member countries are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States

Estimating excess mortality during covid

The OECD compares actual mortality during the pandemic (2020,2021,2022) to a baseline, which was the average of mortality in the 5 years prior to pandemic (2015–2019). Comparing current levels of mortality against this baseline may, in effect, either under– or over–estimate the level of excess mortality. The OECD method has the advantage of being transparent in basing the calculations on the actual number of reported deaths rather than any adjusted values.

Estimating purchasing power parities

Price data for a representative basket of health products and services is collected from each country. This basket is standardized to ensure consistency across different countries and over time. The collected price data is then converted into price relativities. This involves comparing the price of the same basket of goods and services across different countries, and expressing the results relative to a base country (normally $USD). These price relativities are then weighted and averaged at different aggregation levels, for example, at the level of hospitals, healthcare, or GDP, to generate PPPs for health goods and services.

MBS items included in the MBS out-of-pocket calculation
MBS ITEM NUMBER	Description
10660	professional attendance by a general practitioner, if all of the following apply: (a) the service is associated with a service to which item 93644, 93645, 93653 or 93654 applies; (b) the service requires personal attendance by the general practitioner, lasting more than 10 minutes in duration, to provide in-depth clinical advice on the individual risks and benefits associated with receiving a covid-19 vaccine; (c) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a detailed patient history; (ii) complex examination and management; (d) the service is bulk-billed
10661	professional attendance by a medical practitioner (other than a general practitioner), if all of the following apply: (a) the service is associated with a service to which item 93646, 93647, 93655 or 93656 applies; (b) the service requires personal attendance by the medical practitioner (other than a general practitioner), lasting more than 10 minutes in duration, to provide in-depth clinical advice on the individual risks and benefits associated with receiving a covid-19 vaccine; (c) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a detailed patient history; (ii) complex examination and management; (d) the service is bulk-billed
10981	a medical service to which an item of the general medical services table (other than this item, item 10982 or item 10990, 10991 or 10992 of the general medical services table) applies if: (a) the service is an unreferred service; and (b) the service is provided to a person who is a patient at risk of covid-19 virus; and (c) the person is not an admitted patient of a hospital; and (d) the service is bulk-billed in relation to the fees for: (i) this item; and (ii) the other item in the general medical services table applying to the service (e) the service is not provided at, or from, a practice location in an eligible area.
10982	a medical service to which an item of the general medical services table (other than this item, item 10981 or item 10990, 10991 or 10992 of the general medical services table) applies if: (a) the service is an unreferred service; and (b) the service is provided to a person who is a patient at risk of covid-19 virus; and (c) the person is not an admitted patient of a hospital; and (d) the service is bulk-billed in relation to the fees for: (i) this item; and (ii) the other item in the general medical services table applying to the service; and (e) the service is provided at, or from, a practice location in an eligible area.
63399	mri-scan of cardiovascular system for the assessment of myocardial structure and function, if the service is requested by a consultant physician who has assessed the patient, and the request for the scan indicates: the patient has suspected myocarditis after receiving a mrna covid-19 vaccine; and the patient had symptom onset within 21 days of a mrna covid-19 vaccine administration; and the results from the following examinations are inconclusive to form a diagnosis of myocarditis:(i) echocardiogram; and(ii) troponin; and(iii) chest x-ray. applicable not more than once in a patients lifetime (r) (contrast)
69479	detection of a sars-cov-2 nucleic acid 1 or more tests if: (a) the person is a private patient in a recognised hospital and the fee charged for the service does not exceed the schedule fee; or (b) the person receives a bulk-billed service from a prescribed laboratory as described in 4.1 of the pathology services table
69480	detection of a sars-cov-2 nucleic acid 1 or more tests if: (a) the person is a private patient in a hospital other than a recognised hospital and the fee charged for the service does not exceed the schedule fee; or (b) the person receives a bulk-billed service not covered by item 69479
69501	detection of a sars-cov-2 nucleic acid 1 or more tests if: (a) the person is employed, hired, retained or contracted; (i) by an approved provider, or works in an aged care service, in victoria; or (ii) to travel interstate as a driver of a heavy vehicle; or (iii) to travel interstate as a rail crew member; and (b) the person is informed of the results of the tests within 24 hours of receipt of the specimen at an accredited pathology laboratory; and (c) the results of the test are reported in adherence with the applicable state or territory reporting requirements within 24 hours of receipt of the specimen at an accredited pathology laboratory; and (d) the person is not a private patient in a recognised hospital; and (e) the person is not an admitted patient of a hospital; and (f) the service is not performed in a prescribed laboratory as described in 4.1 of the pathology services table other than a service to which item 69476, 69477, 69479 or 69480 applies, or an item in the pathology services tables applies. where the service is bulk billed.
93624	professional attendance by a general practitioner for the purpose of assessing a patient's suitability for the first dose of a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is provided at, or from, a practice location in a modified monash 1 area note: effective 31 may 2021, age restrictions on the use of this item have been removed.
93625	professional attendance by a general practitioner for the purpose of assessing a patient's suitability for the first dose of a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is provided at, or from, a practice location in: (i) a modified monash 2 area; or (ii) a modified monash 3 area; or (iii) a modified monash 4 area; or (iv) a modified monash 5 area; or (v) a modified monash 6 area; or (vi) a modified monash 7 area note: effective 31 may 2021, age restrictions on the use of this item have been removed.
93626	professional attendance by a medical practitioner (other than a general practitioner) for the purpose of assessing a patient's suitability for the first dose of a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is provided at, or from, a practice location in a modified monash 1 area note: effective 31 may 2021, age restrictions on the use of this item have been removed.
93627	professional attendance by a medical practitioner (other than a general practitioner) for the purpose of assessing a patient's suitability for the first dose of a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is provided at, or from, a practice location in: (i) a modified monash 2 area; or (ii) a modified monash 3 area; or (iii) a modified monash 4 area; or (iv) a modified monash 5 area; or (v) a modified monash 6 area; or (vi) a modified monash 7 area note: effective 31 may 2021, age restrictions on the use of this item have been removed.
93634	professional attendance by a general practitioner for the purpose of assessing a patient's suitability for the first dose of a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is provided at, or from, a practice location in a modified monash 1 area; (d) the service is rendered in an after-hours period note: effective 31 may 2021, age restrictions on the use of this item have been removed.
93635	professional attendance by a general practitioner for the purpose of assessing a patient's suitability for the first dose of a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is provided at, or from, a practice location in: (i) a modified monash 2 area; or (ii) a modified monash 3 area; or (iii) a modified monash 4 area; or (iv) a modified monash 5 area; or (v) a modified monash 6 area; or (vi) a modified monash 7 area; (d) the service is rendered in an after-hours period note: effective 31 may 2021, age restrictions on the use of this item have been removed.
93636	professional attendance by a medical practitioner (other than a general practitioner) for the purpose of assessing a patient's suitability for the first dose of a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is provided at, or from, a practice location in a modified monash 1 area; (d) the service is rendered in an after-hours period note: effective 31 may 2021, age restrictions on the use of this item have been removed.
93637	professional attendance by a medical practitioner (other than a general practitioner) for the purpose of assessing a patient's suitability for the first dose of a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is provided at, or from, a practice location in: (i) a modified monash 2 area; or (ii) a modified monash 3 area; or (iii) a modified monash 4 area; or (iv) a modified monash 5 area; or (v) a modified monash 6 area; or (vi) a modified monash 7 area; (d) the service is rendered in an after-hours period note: effective 31 may 2021, age restrictions on the use of this item have been removed.
93644	professional attendance by a general practitioner for the purpose of assessing a patients suitability for a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is provided at, or from, a practice location in a modified monash 1 area
93645	professional attendance by a general practitioner for the purpose of assessing a patients suitability for a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is provided at, or from, a practice location in: (i) a modified monash 2 area; or (ii) a modified monash 3 area; or (iii) a modified monash 4 area; or (iv) a modified monash 5 area; or (v) a modified monash 6 area; or (vi) a modified monash 7 area
93646	professional attendance by a medical practitioner (other than a general practitioner) for the purpose of assessing a patients suitability for a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is provided at, or from, a practice location in a modified monash 1 area
93647	professional attendance by a medical practitioner (other than a general practitioner) for the purpose of assessing a patients suitability for a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is provided at, or from, a practice location in: (i) a modified monash 2 area; or (ii) a modified monash 3 area; or (iii) a modified monash 4 area; or (iv) a modified monash 5 area; or (v) a modified monash 6 area; or (vi) a modified monash 7 area
93653	professional attendance by a general practitioner for the purpose of assessing a patients suitability for a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is provided at, or from, a practice location in a modified monash 1 area; (d) the service is rendered in an after-hours period
93654	professional attendance by a general practitioner for the purpose of assessing a patients suitability for a dose of a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is provided at, or from, a practice location in: (i) a modified monash 2 area; or (ii) a modified monash 3 area; or (iii) a modified monash 4 area; or (iv) a modified monash 5 area; or (v) a modified monash 6 area; or (vi) a modified monash 7 area; (d) the service is rendered in an after-hours period
93655	professional attendance by a medical practitioner (other than a general practitioner) for the purpose of assessing a patients suitability for a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is provided at, or from, a practice location in a modified monash 1 area; (d) the service is rendered in an after-hours period
93656	professional attendance by a medical practitioner (other than a general practitioner) for the purpose of assessing a patients suitability for a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is provided at, or from, a practice location in: (i) a modified monash 2 area; or (ii) a modified monash 3 area; or (iii) a modified monash 4 area; or (iv) a modified monash 5 area; or (v) a modified monash 6 area; or (vi) a modified monash 7 area; (d) the service is rendered in an after-hours period
93660	attendance by a relevant health professional on behalf of a medical practitioner for the purpose of assessing a patients suitability for a dose of a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is not provided at a practice location; and (d) the service is provided from a practice location in a modified monash 1 area
93661	attendance by a relevant health professional on behalf of a medical practitioner for the purpose of assessing a patients suitability for a dose of a covid-19 vaccine if all of the following apply: (a) one or both of the following is undertaken, where clinically relevant: (i) a short patient history; (ii) limited examination and management; (b) the service is bulk-billed; (c) the service is not provided at a practice location; and (d) the service is provided from a practice location in: (i) a modified monash 2 area; or (ii) a modified monash 3 area; or (iii) a modified monash 4 area; or (iv) a modified monash 5 area; or (v) a modified monash 6 area; or (vi) a modified monash 7 area
93666	a medical service associated with a service to which item 93644, 93645, 93646, 93647, 93653, 93654, 93655 or 93656 applies, if: (a) the service is bulk-billed; and (b) the service is for a patient being assessed for their suitability for the booster dose of a covid-19 vaccine
93715	attendance by a medical practitioner (other than a specialist or consultant physician) for the assessment and management of a person with covid-19 infection of recent onset and confirmed by either: (a) laboratory testing; or (b) a covid-19 rapid antigen self-test which has been approved for supply in Australia by the therapeutic goods administration, where: (i) the treating practitioner makes a record in the patients notes that the relevant state and territory reporting requirements have been met, if applicable, and either: a. confirms the patient has reported the positive test result to the relevant state or territory public health unit where reporting requirements are in place from time to time; or b. assists the patient to report the positive result to the relevant state or territory public health unit where reporting requirements are in place from time to time.