Equipment and Related Servcies Policy

To be read in conjunction with 10.5.2 – Aids and Appliances Policy

WorkSafe can pay the reasonable costs of equipment and related services to assist a worker in the rehabilitation of a work-related injury or illness, or whose work-related injury or illness has caused impaired function in any of the worker’s activities of daily living.

What are equipment and related services?

Equipment is used to promote function and assist recovery from a work-related injury or illness.  Related services include repairs, maintenance and delivery of equipment.

Who can provide equipment and related services?

Equipment is provided to injured workers by either the WorkSafe contracted equipment suppliers or the Health Services Group (HSG) Equipment Brokerage Team.

The Health Services Group is a collaboration established between WorkSafe and the TAC with the aim to achieve improved rehabilitation and return to work outcomes for injured Victorians.

The WorkSafe contracted equipment suppliers are responsible for:

  • Supply (purchase, hire and trial) of catalogue equipment items
  • Delivery of catalogue equipment items
  • Repairs and maintenance to catalogue equipment items
  • Retrieval and reissue of approved equipment items (within the designated equipment categories) as requested by the WorkSafe Agent

Catalogue equipment categories

The HSG Equipment Brokerage Team is responsible for:

  •  Supply (purchase, hire and trial) of non-catalogue equipment or equipment not available through the WorkSafe contracted equipment suppliers
  • Delivery of non-catalogue equipment items
  • Repairs and maintenance of non-catalogue equipment
  • Retrieval and reissue of approved equipment items (within the designated equipment categories) as requested by the WorkSafe Agent
  • Monitoring of equipment delivery timeframes of equipment purchased via the HSG Equipment Brokerage Team.

WorkSafe contracted equipment suppliers and HSG Equipment Brokerage Team

Victorian public hospitals are responsible for the provision of aids, equipment and domiciliary oxygen free of charge (no deposits or hire fees) to facilitate a safe and effective transition a period of 30 days post-discharge from hospital  following an acute, sub-acute or rehabilitation admission.  In the event that an injured worker requires equipment of a non re-usable nature, WorkSafe would expect that these items are purchased by the hospital and not provided on a hire basis.

Following the initial 30 days after discharge, WorkSafe is responsible for providing aids and equipment that are reasonable and/or necessary for the worker’s work-related injury or illness once a claim is accepted. Victorian public hospitals must contact the WorkSafe Agent to determine whether the Agent will organise alternative provision of the hired aids and equipment or whether the current hire arrangements will continue.  Equipment hires or purchases required after the first 30 days post-discharge can be organised through the WorkSafe contracted equipment suppliers.

Private Hospitals may directly order from the equipment panel up to $300 per item of equipment from the 'Hospital Direct Order form' list of items to facilitate smooth discharge of the injured worker.  Workers must have an accepted claim before orders can be made by private hospitals.

What equipment items can a therapist supply without prior approval from WorkSafe?

Miscellaneous items

Small stock items from the list below may be supplied to injured workers by private hospitals (for in-patient discharge and outpatients only) and healthcare professionals, without prior approval from the WorkSafe Agent:

  • taping - zinc oxide, fixomull, strapping, etc.
  • bandages - compression, tubigrip, thera-band, gauze products
  • oedema control and dressing bandage
  • thermal supports, pressure garments and gloves
  • soft collars
  • hand putty/thera-putty digiflex, exercise foam
  • walking sticks, triangular slings
  • plaster, ice packs, heat packs
  • hibitane, iso-wipes, skin-prep, applicators.
  • adaptive cutlery
  • dressings aids (e.g long handled sponge/shoe horn, toe wiper, sock aids, button hooks, elastic shoe laces)
  • pick up sticks
  • silicone gel sheeting (10cmx13cm) 1 sheet only

Note: exceptions apply to public hospitals, refer to the Victorian Public Hospitals section above.  Unlike hospitals and medical practitioners, healthcare providers require a request from a medical practitioner for all aids and appliances.

When can WorkSafe pay for equipment and related services?

WorkSafe can pay the reasonable costs of equipment and related services that are reasonable and/or necessary for the worker’s work-related injury or illness.

WorkSafe will take into account whether the equipment and related services will:

  • increase independence
  • facilitate a return to vocational, educational or leisure activities
  • improve mobility
  • relieve pain/discomfort
  • ensure a safe environment
  • aid communication/swallowing management

When can’t WorkSafe pay for equipment and related services?

WorkSafe will not pay the reasonable costs for equipment and related services where:

  • they are not for the rehabilitation of a work-related injury or illness,
  • the equipment is of no clear benefit to a worker
  • there is no objective evidence that the equipment is safe and effective
  • the equipment is for a person other than the worker
  • they are provided outside Australia without prior written approval from the VWA Agent

How much can WorkSafe pay for equipment and related services?

WorkSafe can only pay the reasonable costs of reasonable and/or necessary equipment and related services.

Who is eligible to receive equipment?

WorkSafe can pay for equipment required by a worker whose work-related injury or illness has caused impaired function in any of the injured worker’s activities of daily living.

What information does WorkSafe require?

WorkSafe requires a current request from a medical practitioner for any equipment and related services.  To assess an injured worker’s eligibility for equipment, WorkSafe also requires a written recommendation from the worker’s treating therapist or relevant healthcare provider.

For wheelchairs, pressure cushions, beds, mattresses, powered conversion kits, scooters, standing frames, lounge chairs, customised toilet/commode/ shower chairs or hoists, an Equipment Prescription Form must be completed by the prescribing therapist and submitted to the Agent.

Who owns the equipment?

Ownership of equipment

Equipment provided by WorkSafe to injured workers becomes the property of the injured worker, except for hire and/or loan equipment. In all circumstances, it is expectedthat the injured worker will ensure that the equipment is used and maintained in a responsible manner.  WorkSafe also expects that the injured worker will take out insurance to adequately cover the item against loss or damage.

Partial liability for equipment

In cases where the equipment is only partially related to a worker’s work-related injury or illness or the item requested is other than a suitable standard model, an injured worker will be required to contribute to the cost.

Are there any conditions imposed on equipment that is hired by WorkSafe?

In some circumstances, WorkSafe will hire equipment for use by injured workers. In all circumstances it is expected that an injured worker will:

  • ensure that the equipment is used as intended, in a responsible manner
  • maintain the equipment in the condition in which it was received from the equipment broker
  • ensure that the equipment is stored responsibly so that loss or damage will not occur
  • ensure that under no circumstance the equipment is wilfully damaged
  • contact the Agent when the equipment is no longer required for the work-related injuries
  • take out travel insurance to adequately cover the item against loss or damage when travelling either within Australia or overseas

Can the injured worker trial equipment prior to purchase or hire?

Equipment trials are available for a limited period (2-3 days) to enable the worker to try a number of similar products.  Trials generally refer to more specialised equipment such as wheelchairs or scooters.

All trials of equipment are to be arranged by the therapist directly with the suppliers.

Will WorkSafe maintain and repair equipment?

WorkSafe expects that the injured worker will take out insurance to adequately cover the item against loss or damage.

WorkSafe can pay the reasonable cost of maintenance and repairs to equipment:

  • necessitated by normal wear and tear
  • where WorkSafe has accepted partial liability for the purchase of equipment, consistent with the level of WorkSafe’s contribution to the purchase of the equipment
  • where WorkSafe has paid for modifications to the equipment.  WorkSafe can only pay for maintenance and repairs to the modified component of the equipment

Consideration should be given to:

  • replacing a low cost item with a new one instead of repairing
  • replacement where an item has been repaired multiple times
  • the age of the item
  • the frequency of repairs
  • the amount of wear and tear
  • whether the current equipment still meets the worker's needs, or a new piece of equipment is required

Will WorkSafe pay the replacement of worn or damaged equipment?

Where equipment has worn as a result of normal use over a reasonable period of time, WorkSafe will consider replacing the equipment, with the exception of normal household items (such as beds, mattresses and chairs) if required by the injured worker.

Are there any items that do not form part of Equipment and Related Services?

Items that do not form part of the WorkSafe contracted equipment suppliers and that are not covered by the HSG Equipment Brokerage Team are:

  • Car modifications
  • Major home modifications
  • Prosthetics & Orthotics
  • Splints/braces
  • Small stock items
  • Ramps (other than portable)
  • Regular services associated with personal safety equipment purchases (e.g. monthly monitoring fee for personal alarms)
  • Reimbursements to injured workers

 

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