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Closing the Gap (CTG) PBS Co-payment: Who Qualifies and What You Get

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients can access lower or no-cost prescriptions through this healthcare measure.

This scheme helps reduce the cost of prescription medicines for certain patients. It is designed to make essential healthcare more affordable.

Who it's for

This measure is available to eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.

What you get

You can access lower or even zero co-payments for medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This means the out-of-pocket cost for your prescription is significantly reduced or removed entirely.

What it costs you

There is no direct monetary fee to use this scheme. However, you must ensure that you are correctly registered in the system so that your eligibility is recognized when you go to collect your medicine.

The catch to know

For the discount to work, your pharmacist must manually ensure the specific flag is correctly selected in their software. It is a good idea to confirm with your pharmacist that the discount has been applied to your prescription.

How to apply

  1. Speak with your doctor about your eligibility.
  2. Ensure your registration is updated in the national system.
  3. Present your prescription to your pharmacist.
  4. Confirm the discount has been applied at the pharmacy counter.