To be considered for a travel subsidy patients need to register with the PTSS.  Patients who are already registered do not need to register again unless their details have changed.

To register, patients need to complete the Patient Registration (Form A) and submit it at any Queensland public hospital or health facility—in person or via email, fax or post. Patient travel offices have different opening hours depending on their location. Patients should check the office hours of their local patient travel office before visiting.

Patients can submit their registration form at the same time as their Travel Referral.  See Step 2.

Patients who have travelled for specialist medical treatment within the last 12 months are able to submit a retrospective application – the process and forms are the same.

Patients applying for a PTSS should submit documents as early as possible to allow sufficient time for processing and travel bookings.

For help completing the Patient Registration Form, please read the user guide for this form.

Once an application has been received, it will be assessed against the PTSS Guideline to determine the patient's eligibility for a subsidy. Patients will be notified of the outcome of their application approximately five (5) working days after it is received by the approving hospital or health facility. Processing times can vary by location and are dependent on patients providing all necessary information.

If the application is approved, the local hospital or health facility will offer to assist the patient to arrange and book their travel. If the patient's application cannot be approved, they will be given the reason and advised of the process for lodging an appeal.

Patients who have been approved for a travel subsidy and have the date(s) of their appointment should contact their local public hospital or health service to organise travel. The health facility will either book travel and accommodation on behalf of the patient or provide information to assist them to make their own bookings.

Travel and accommodation subsidies are paid at the approved amount only and patients will be required to pay any additional costs.

Patients who book their own travel or accommodation need to submit their tax invoices to their local hospital or health facility, after their appointment, to start the claim process. Any GST paid by the patient cannot be claimed.

Patients eligible for the accommodation subsidy are required to pay for the first four nights of accommodation each financial year, unless they are a minor or a concession card holder.

Find out more about subsidies available for travel, accommodation and escorts.

Return travel

If return travel has not been arranged, patients should speak to someone at the treating facility (such as ward or clinic staff, or a social worker) about contacting their local hospital or health facility to arrange this. Patients will need the approval of a doctor or clinician before they can travel home.

To claim a travel subsidy, patients need to confirm that they have attended their specialist appointment and any related accommodation using the following forms:

• Appointment Attendance (Form C)—this form is completed by the patient's specialist, or their representative, and given to the patient at the end of their appointment(s).  This form needs to be completed after every appointment.

and if applicable

• Accommodation Confirmation (Form D)—This form is completed by the accommodation provider and the patient.

Patients staying in paid commercial accommodation should check to see if their hospital will pay their accommodation subsidy directly to the accommodation provider. If this is the case, the hospital will send the attendance form directly the accommodation provider prior to the patient travelling.  Patients will need to sign this form when they check-out as well as pay for any additional costs.

To claim a subsidy payment, patients need to submit the following documents:

• a completed and signed Appointment Attendance (Form C)—see Step 5
• and if applicable, a completed and signed Accommodation Confirmation (Form D)—see Step 5
• any tax invoices from PTSS approved travel and accommodation bookings.

Travel and accommodation subsidy payments will not include any GST paid by the patient.

Tax invoices do not need to be submitted for patients approved for the private motor vehicle subsidy.

Patients can submit these documents at any Queensland public hospital or health facility (or their patient travel office).  Documents can be submitted in person or via email, fax or post. Patient travel offices have different opening hours depending on their location. Patients should check the office hours of their local patient travel office before visiting.

Payment

Subsidy payment should be received within 30 business days of submitting all necessary and completed paperwork.