Victorians injured in road accidents have been delaying treatment because of a $651 up-front medical fee, prompting state government plans to scrap the charge.
Under the current system, people injured in an accident have to pay the excess of their expenses before the Transport Accident Commission can cover their costs.
"The medical excess gets in the way of treatment. If you delay services after an accident you actually delay people's recovery," TAC chief executive Joe Calafiore said on Tuesday.
The fee will be axed as part of proposed amendments to the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, Finance Minister Robin Scott said.
"We don't want a circumstance where a person injured in a motor vehicle accident are denied treatment because of their financial situation," Mr Scott said.
He said cost was an issue for people who needed physiotherapy or access to GPs rather than being admitted to hospital.
More than 13,000 people injured in transport accidents ever year have been hit with the $651 charge, figures show.
Share
