The Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS)
Western Australian patient and carers guide to claiming accommodation subsidies
What is WA PATS?
The Western Australian Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) subsidises the cost of travel and accommodation for residents of WA who need to travel long distances within WA for specialist medical care.
Subsidies are provided to help cover the costs of staying in accommodation close to hospitals. Patients can also claim travel costs including private car and public transport costs.
WA PATS supports residents of Western Australia travelling to hospitals in WA. WA patients travelling to hospitals outside of Western Australia can apply for IPTS – find out more here.
Eligibility Criteria
In Western Australia, the main eligibility criteria for PATS is distance. Distance is defined from the patient’s home address to the specialist medical facility (hospital or clinic). The main distance eligibility criteria is:
People travelling more than 100km from home to medical care (one way)
or
more than 70km from home to renal or cancer care (one way)
Plus...
You also need to be a resident of Western Australia.
You must be travelling to specialist medical care that is not available closer to home.
Who decides if I am eligible to claim PATS
Your medical specialist needs to confirm you are travelling for specialist medical care. The doctor must be approved to practice as a specialist under Medicare Australia and their details must be included on the form. The specialist or an authorised officer, such as a hospital social worker, practice manager, receptionist or nurse may sign your form.
Please ask your medical specialist or staff at the clinic to assist you with this process. You can also contact the PATS Office directly for further information. Once your form is submitted to the PATS Office, they will process your application and confirm your eligibility and reimbursements.
Please note, MediStays does not approve your application.
How much is the accommodation subsidy
The subsidy varies depending on your situation:
Patients
Patients not admitted to hospital may be eligible to claim up to $106.10/night accommodation subsidy.
Patients travelling with an approved escort
Patients not admitted to hospital who are travelling with an approved escort may be eligible to claim up to $121.10/night.
Escorts
If you are an approved escort for a patient admitted to hospital you can claim an accommodation subsidy of up to $106.10/night.
When to contact MediStays?
If you are eligible to apply for PATS, contact MediStays to book your accommodation and link us with your local PATS Office. We can then arrange all payments with PATS directly – peace of mind for you.
Can I apply for PATS online?
Visit the WA PATS website to find out more.
Other frequently asked questions
Yes, MediStays are delighted to bulk-bill your PATS for 7+ night stays.
Please provide one week notice and contact us or link us with your local PATS office.
Every property on the MediStays website can be booked for your accommodation and PATS claim.
No, PATS entitles you to claim all accommodation costs, including one-night stays.
An escort is a person approved to travel with the patient. This may include your husband or wife or primary carer. The parents of children under 18 years of age are automatically entitled to an escort.
A person can have more than one escort if they are under the age of 18 years, certain conditions apply.
Accommodation in private homes is covered by $20 per person per night.
You must claim the subsidy for the state or territory where you live (not the location of your treating hospital).
As stated on the PATS website, in general, you will not be eligible to claim PATS if:
- 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.
If your accommodation costs are more than the PATS, you will need to pay some out of pocket expenses. For example, if a patient stays in accommodation close to hospital at $150/night they will pay $47.25. If a patient and escort stay in accommodation at $150/night, they will pay $32.25/night (total)
No there are no co-payments.
No there are no concessions.
Yes, if you are an approved escort you are eligible to claim the accommodation subsidy. For example, you may drive your husband to the hospital and book accommodation with MediStays until he is discharged. You are eligible to claim the escort subsidy in this situation.
PATS may cover your public transport costs. Keep a copy of your tax invoices and record details of your journey (dates) on the form.
Yes, PATS covers petrol costs. If you travel in a private car, you are eligible to claim 16 cents per kilometre. Google maps is used to calculate the distance from your home address to the hospital/clinic address. You do not need to provide tax invoices for petrol costs.
Please contact the PATS office directly for further information on 08-63722363.
The website is here.
If you are eligible to apply for WA PATS, post your hard copy, signed form and MediStays tax invoice to the PATS office when your stay has finished.
For long stays, you may also apply in advance or in regular intervals.
How MediStays can help…
Checking your eligibility after booking
When you book accommodation with MediStays, you can choose to tell us your postcode. This enables us to guide you on your eligibility for PATS and send you the link for the relevant PATS approval.
Which MediStays accommodation is eligible?
All properties listed on the MediStays website are eligible – simply book on our website and submit your MediStays tax invoice with your application form. Alternatively, please contact us directly to arrange payment with your local PATS office.
Are you a patient or carer travelling for medical care?
Our Care Navigators can assist with accommodation and funding support.