The Broadband for Health Initiative
Overview
Broadband For Health (BFH) is a $60 million Australian Government program to provide high speed internet access to GPs, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) and pharmacies nationwide. The program aims to meet the set up, installation and contracted usage costs of broadband for eligible practices.
To meet the requirements of BFH, internet service providers must offer business-grade broadband plans configured to encourage the secure, robust and speedy flow of health care information.
The financial incentive available to take up a qualified broadband service will continue until 31 December 2007.
The incentives levels will continue at the current rate.
Program Update
GPDV has received advice from DoHA that:
1. The Broadband For Health program will terminate on 31/12/2007.
2. New applicants, and practices whose contract is due for renewal on or before 31/12/2007, can claim for the incentive (the incentive payment covers a 12 month period).
3. Late applications (i.e. received after 31/12/2007) will not be accepted.
4. There will be no further reduction in the incentive amount.
Practices needing help with reapplying for BFH, or considering their broadband requirements post-BFH are encouraged to contact Brendon Wickham at GPDV on 03 9341 5238 or b.wickham@gpdv.com.au.
Key information for claiming
� The amount of the incentive is based on a practice's RRMA (Rural, Remote, Metropolitan Area) number. Payment is for a full 12 months irrespective of when the application is made (i.e. if an application is made in June 2007, the payment will cover until June 2008).
�
RRMA schedule for Jan - Mar 2007:
RRMA Terrestrial Wireless/Satellite
1 $774.50 $2,371.50
2 $813.00 $2,490.00
3 $853.50 $2,614.50
4 $896.50 $2,745.50
5 $941.50 $2,882.50
6 $988.50 $3,026.50
7 $1,004.50 $3,178.00
� The Broadband For Health website at the Department of Health and Ageing has links and information for applying. It also has a database of the current service providers who offer a Broadband For Health approved plan:
o Search for a Qualified Service Provider (QSP) near you.
� The Medicare Australia's Broadband For Health website has the application forms and a useful guideline:
� There are now over 50 QSPs from which to choose a broadband plan. However if you are already on a broadband plan and your ISP is not approved under the BFH program you can encourage them to do so by contacting the Broadband for Health Taskforce on (02) 6289 4452.
� An exceptional circumstance arrangement is available for those practices that did not receive a Unique Identification Number (UIN) or are in areas where the standard broadband options are not available. Solutions possible under the exceptional circumstance arrangement could include an ISDN/hybrid, or an on-seller for a Qualified Service Provider (QSP) (the on-seller arrangement only applies when the service provider is on-selling the QSP's qualified plan, not offering a re-badged plan of their own).
� The additional offer of a $1,000 incentive payment to assist with managing security has now expired.
� Completion of the Security Awareness and Conformance Report (SACR) is no longer required. A new Security Awareness and Action Guide (SAAG) is now included with the application form to help practices develop computer and internet security procedures.
Contact
For further information or assistance please call Brendon Wickham at GPDV on (03) 9341 5238.