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Danny O'Brien said local residents have contacted him about unprocessed VPTAS claims, some unanswered for months

Gippslanders are facing delays in processing medical travel claims under the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS), leaving residents frustrated and out-of-pocket, with some claims going unanswered for months.

By news@gippsland - 26th March 2025 - Back to News

Gippslanders who rely on the Allan Labor government to reimburse medical travel expenses are being left out-of-pocket as claims go unprocessed. The Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS) is an invaluable scheme that helps rural Victorians like those in Gippsland cover travel costs when having to travel long distances for medical treatment.

Gippslanders face delays in medical travel expense reimbursements as VPTAS claims go unanswered, leaving residents out-of-pocket

VPTAS processing delays

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien said he had been contacted recently by a number of local residents from right across his electorate who have attempted to claim reimbursement for travel under VPTAS only to find their claims go unanswered for months. "The VPTAS website states that claims will be processed in six to eight weeks, but I am receiving multiple reports that recent experience is far beyond that."

"Most recently I received an email from a pensioner couple who have unpaid claims going back to October last year - six months! Alarmingly in addition to claims not being processed I am also told that the VPTAS team cannot be reached on the phone, and that voicemails and emails go answered," Mr O'Brien said.

Mr O'Brien said public service should be more than just a name for a group of people, but that under the Allan Labor government it is increasingly the case that the service element is missing from our public service. "This is one of many sectors where the government has just stopped serving the community, and it is not good enough. The government must explain what it is doing to address these VPTAS delays," Mr O'Brien said.

Pictures from Victorian Department of Health Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com