Am I eligible for PATS?

Eligibility

  • Are you a permanent resident of a WA Country Health Service region?

This includes Goldfields, Great Southern, Kimberley, Midwest, Pilbara, Wheatbelt, Southwest. 

Please note: If you live in the Peel region you may be eligible for PATS. For further information please contact Peel PATS. Peel is not part of the WA Country Health Service.

You can find out more by reading the Eligibility summary sheet.

  • Are you eligible for Medicare?

  • Have you been referred to a specialist medical service not available locally?

Check with your referring clinician as you may be able to access the required medical specialist service closer to home, including via telehealth.

  • Is your referral for an eligible specialist medical service?

A specialist medical service is defined as treatment from a medical practitioner who is registered with Medicare Australia as a specialist.  These are listed in the Health Insurance Regulations 2018.

Most specialist medical services covered by Medicare are eligible for PATS.

Referrals to other health professionals, for example allied health (speech pathology, physiotherapy, podiatry, clinical psychology, occupational therapy, audiology and pathology), dentists and nursing professionals are not covered by PATS.

View a summary of eligible specialties.

  • Is your referral for a specialist medical service more than 100kms away from your residence or more than 70kms away for cancer or renal treatment?

Distance is calculated using the most direct or common route from your permanent residence to the nearest town centre and the commercial business district (CBD) of the treatment centre you are visiting.

Why am I not eligible?

  • You are travelling to the treatment centre for another reason, such as for a holiday or to visit friends and then need specialist treatment
  • You live within the Perth area or live interstate and are holidaying in WA regional areas when you became unwell
  • You are working temporarily in a WA regional area
  • You are a FIFO worker
  • You are on a bridging visa
  • You are a student boarding for school or university and require medical treatment while living in the treatment centre (such as Perth).  Note, a parent may be eligible for escort assistance to visit their child in the treatment centre (e.g. if a child is in hospital and requires an adult to make decisions)
  • You are eligible for alternative forms of assistance, such as through the Department of Veteran Affairs, workers compensation or other insurance, such as travel insurance
  • You are in custody (jail)
  • You are not eligible for Medicare
  • The medical service is available locally including via telehealth
  • The referral is for a non-approved service.
Last Updated: 28/04/2023