How The Voucher System Works
1. Vouchers will be available to a select group of service providers who work closely with individuals who may require financial assistance to access health services.
2. During an assessment the professional may identify that their client is requiring health services which will involve costs.
3. The client may have communicated that they cannot afford payment of the health service required. The client possibly will therefore not access the required service due to financial constraints or other priorities.
4. After discussion, and consent from the client, the professional can issue a completed voucher to their client.
5. The voucher will be presented by the client to the service provider.
6. The service provider will then send the completed voucher with an invoice to the South Otago Health Support Trust mailing address.
7. On receipt of the invoice from the service provider, The South Otago Health Support Trust trustees will then arrange payment.
Who Can Issue Vouchers:
Various non-government agencies and health care organisations have been selected to have access to voucher books. The staff have been briefed on the distribution of vouchers to clients and members of the Clutha District. Current approved voucher issuers include:
1. Public Health Nursing Service (Public Health Nurses) – Southern District Health Board
2. Clutha Community Mental Health Team (Psychiatric District Nurses, Social Workers, Child Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Drug and Alcohol Clinician) – Southern District Health Board
3. South Otago Plunket Society (Plunket Nurses, Karitane Nurses) – Plunket Society
4. Clutha Budget Advisory Service (Budget Advisors) – Budget Advisers/Financial Mentors
5. Anglican Family Care (Social Workers) - Anglican Family Care Centre
6. Clutha Health First (Social Workers, Nurses, GP)
What Can The Voucher Be Used For
Clients and family members can be issued with more than one voucher at a time. They may get one voucher to see a GP and another voucher for medications or prescription fees. All vouchers are valid for one month from the date of issue and are non-transferable.
1. Doctor consultation fee
2. Nurse consultation fee
3. Prescription and or medication fee
4. Physiotherapy fee
5. Counselling fee
6. Optometrist and/or prescription lenses fee
7. Travel assistance
8. Other occasions as agreed by The South Otago Health Support Trust
Who Can Receive a Voucher
Vouchers are issued to clients and family members of any age who have health needs that have been assessed and/or identified by the voucher issuer, up to a set value.
If the client and family members do not have the means to pay for health care and/or health related items and would otherwise not access the required healthcare, a voucher may be issued.
Typically clients would meet one or more of the following:
1. have a community services card
2. be on a Work and Income benefit
3. are currently out of work, low income, or seasonal worker
4. Parents and their children
5. Have high health needs
How Much Are The Vouchers Worth
Vouchers can be issued up to the value of $100 only. If the voucher being issued exceeds the $100 limit, prior approval is required by the SOHST.
Where Can Vouchers be Presented
The voucher can be used at various providers and health related businesses in the South Otago area including Dental Practices, Pharmacies and General Practices.
What Information Is Included On The Voucher
The voucher contains information about the client such as their name and address, date of birth, ethnicity and details of the health issue and services/products required.
What Is The SOHST Monitoring/Auditing
Our voucher system allows the SOHST to monitor who is issuing the vouchers, and to whom they are issued.
The SOHST will maintain the strict privacy of this information; however demographic information will be collated for the purpose of programme evaluation and applications for future funding.
The SOHST will monitor the issuing of vouchers to ensure the integrity of the system is maintained and that terms and conditions of use are followed. We also review each voucher issued to ensure that the cost is not able to be claimed from another funding source.
Issuers may be contacted to clarify situations which may appear to contravene the terms and conditions of The SOHST.