Stoma Appliance Scheme access fee
The Stoma Appliance Scheme Operational Guidelines require that each stoma association charge an annual Access Fee to obtain stoma-related products through the Stoma Appliance Scheme. The Access Fee is payable once per financial year. The fee is compulsory but the associations is required to make provision for the fee to be paid by instalment in the case of financial hardship. The fee can also be pro-rated where a member joins the association part way through a year.
The SAS Access Fee set by QLD Stoma Association Ltd for 2024/2025 is $75 or $65 for Commonwealth Concession Card Holders. To be eligible for the concessional benefit, you will have one of the following concession cards:
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Commonwealth Senior Health Card
- Health Care Card
Some State/Territory governments issue Seniors Cards. These are not considered concession cards for the purpose of the Stoma Appliance Scheme. Centrelink is responsible for the issue and administration of the Pensioner Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and Health Care Cards.
Department of Veterans Affairs pays the SAS Access Fee for DVA Gold Card Holders and other eligible DVA Card holders.
Members joining the association for the first time between January and June will pay a reduced Access Fee of $45 full membership or $40 Commonwealth Concession Card Holders.
Stoma association membership fee
Stoma associations may charge an additional membership fee at the stoma association’s discretion. This fee cannot be for services covered by the access fee. Stoma associations are required to advise members that the membership fee is separate to the access fee and that the membership fee is determined by the stoma association. A member who is not able to pay the additional stoma association service fee because of financial hardship may apply to the stoma association to have the additional fee paid in instalments or waived. The fee can also be pro-rated where a member joins the association part way through a year part way through a year.
QLD Stoma Association Ltd membership is complimentary for all Stoma Appliance Scheme participants.
Department of Veterans Affairs pays the QLD Stoma Association Ltd membership fee for DVA Gold Card Holders and other eligible DVA Card holders.