Zavod za zdravstveno zavarovanje Slovenije
in
Ministrstvo za zdravje in vprašanja staranja Avstralije (ali nosilec, ki ga za to pooblasti ministrstvo)
sklepata
The Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of Australia (“the Parties”), desirous of mutually regulating the field of health care of eligible persons of one Party during their presence in the territory of the other Party, have agreed as follows:
Article 1
DEFINITIONS
(1) Terms in this Agreement mean:
(a) “medical services”
i) in relation to the Republic of Slovenia, medical services provided under the Health Care and Health Insurance Act 1992; and
ii) in relation to Australia, pharmaceutical benefits provided to a general patient as defined under the National Health Act 1953, professional and hospital services provided, or in respect of which a benefit is payable, under the Health Insurance Act 1973 or the National Health Act 1953 and any agreements or determinations made under the Health Insurance Act 1973 in relation to provision in the States and Territories of Australia of public hospital services and other health services.
(b) “insured person”
in relation to the Republic of Slovenia, a person covered by compulsory health insurance under the Health Care and Health Insurance Act 1992.
(c) “resident”
in relation to Australia, a person who is an Australia resident under the Health Insurance Act 1973.
(d) “territory”
i) in relation to the Republic of Slovenia, the territory of the Republic of Slovenia; and
ii) in relation to Australia, the territory of Australia for the purposes of the Health Insurance Act 1973.
(e) “temporary stay”
lawful presence but not permanent residence in the territory of the Parties.
(f) “competent authority”
i) in relation to the Republic of Slovenia, the Ministry of Health; and
ii) in relation to Australia, the Department of Health and Ageing.
(g) “competent institution”
i) in relation to the Republic of Slovenia, the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia; and
ii) in relation to Australia, the Department of Health and Ageing or an institution authorised by the Department for this purpose.
(2) For the purposes of this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, other terms and words shall have the meanings assigned to them by the respective legislations of the Parties as defined in paragraph (1) (a) of this Article.
(3) This Agreement shall also apply to any legislation which replaces, amends, supplements, or consolidates the legislation referred to in paragraph (1) (a) of this Article.
Article 2
PERSONS COVERED
(1) This Agreement shall apply to persons of one Party who are temporarily staying in the territory of the other Party and who are:
(a) in relation to the Republic of Slovenia, persons covered by compulsory health insurance under the Health Care and Health Insurance Act 1992; and
(b) in relation to Australia, residents under the Health Insurance Act 1973.
(2) This Agreement shall also apply to persons who are members of a diplomatic mission or consular post established by one Party in the territory of the other, and their family members living with them in the same household.
(3) This Agreement does not apply to a person who falls within the terms of paragraph (1) of this Article, where that person enters the territory of the other Party for the purpose of treatment unless that person is a member of the crew or passenger on any ship, vessel or aircraft travelling to, leaving from, or diverted to the territory of the other Party and the need for the treatment arose during the voyage or flight.
Article 3
MEDICAL SERVICES
(1) A person who falls within the terms of paragraph (1) of Article 2, while in the territory of the other Party, who needs necessary medical treatment for ill health which requires immediate medical attention, shall be provided with such medical services as are clinically necessary for the diagnosis, treatment or care of the condition on the same terms as would apply to insured persons when present in the territory of the Republic of Slovenia or residents when present in the territory of Australia.
(2) A person who falls within the terms of paragraph (2) of Article 2 shall be eligible for medical services at all times during that person’s stay in the territory of the other Party to the same extent and under the same conditions as insured persons when present in the territory of the Republic of Slovenia or residents when present in the territory of Australia.
Article 4
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
In accordance with this Agreement neither Party shall be liable to reimburse the other Party the costs of medical services provided.
Article 5
COMPETENT AUTHORITIES AND INSTITUTIONS
(1) The competent authorities of the Parties must inform each other as soon as possible of any changes in their legislation which are applicable in their territories and may significantly affect the nature and scope of medical services envisaged under this Agreement.
(2) Matters relating to the interpretation of this Agreement shall be resolved by consultation between the competent authorities of the Parties.
(3) Matters relating to the application of this Agreement shall be resolved by consultation between the competent institutions of the Parties.
(4) The competent institutions of the Parties shall make whatever administrative arrangements are necessary to implement this Agreement.
Article 6
DOCUMENTS
In order to receive medical services under this Agreement, a person who falls within the terms of paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of Article 2 must submit a valid passport and evidence of eligibility for:
(a) compulsory health insurance in the Republic of Slovenia; or
(b) residence under the Health Insurance Act 1973.
Article 7
FINAL PROVISIONS
(1) This Agreement shall enter into force on the date that the Parties notify each other in writing, through the diplomatic channels, that all their respective requirements for its entry into force have been fulfilled.
(2) This Agreement shall remain in force until the expiration of 12 months from the date on which either Party receives from the other, written notice through the diplomatic channel of its intention to terminate this Agreement.
(3) In the event this Agreement is terminated in accordance with paragraph (2) of this Article, the Agreement shall continue to have effect in relation to medical treatment which was being provided prior to or at the expiry of the period of notice referred to in that paragraph.
In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.
Done in duplicate at Canberra on 11 March 2009 in the Slovene and English languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
For the Government
of the Republic of Slovenia
Gregor Kozovinc (s)
For the Government
of Avstralia
Nicola Roxon (s)
Pursuant to Article 5 of the Agreement concerning the provision of health care between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of Australia (hereinafter: the Agreement) the competent institutions
Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia
and
Department of Health and Ageing of Australia (or any other institution duly authorised by the Department)
have concluded the following
Article 1
Definitions of terms
The terms under Article 1 of the Agreement shall in this Arrangement be used as having the same meaning as in the aforementioned Article.
Article 2
Tasks of competent institutions
(1) The tasks of the competent institutions shall be subject to the Agreement and this Arrangement.
(2) In implementing the Arrangement, the competent institutions shall cooperate, and may also directly appeal to competent authorities and persons to which the Arrangement applies. In implementing the Arrangement, the competent institutions shall mutually exchange all necessary information and assist each other.
(3) The competent institutions shall agree on the form and content of documents required for implementation of the Agreement and the application of this Arrangement.
Article 3
Approval of medical services
(1) For the purposes of applying Articles 2 to 6 of the Agreement, insured persons or residents shall submit a valid passport and an adequate document issued by their competent institutions as the certificate of entitlement to the right.
(2) Healthcare provider operating in the public health network shall, upon the preliminary submission of the above documents by one Party, provide to insured persons or residents of the other Party medical services in a manner and under conditions which apply to the territory of the first Party.
Article 4
Reimbursement of expenses
(1) In derogating from the procedures laid down, the competent institution of one Party shall notify the competent institution of the other Party of the amount of expenses for services rendered.
(2) The competent institution of one Party shall reimburse the expenses to persons who have been provided with medical services on the territory of this Party.
Article 5
Documents for asserting the right to medical services
(1) Pursuant to the European Health Insurance Card issued by the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia, insured persons of the Republic of Slovenia shall have the right to immediate medical treatment during their temporary stay in the Australian territory.
(2) Pursuant to the Medicare card issued by Medicare Australia, Australian residents shall have the right to immediate medical treatment during their temporary stay in the Republic of Slovenia.
Article 6
Exchange of information
The competent institutions shall for each calendar year exchange the appropriate statistical information agreed upon.
Article 7
Final provision
This Arrangement shall enter into force on the same day as the Agreement.
Done in duplicate in the Slovene and English languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
For the Health Insurance
of Slovenia
Samo Fakin (s)
Ljubljana, 30. 8. 2010
For the Department of Health and
Ageing of Australia
Jane Halton (s)
Canberra, 13. 11. 2010