Compensation Recovery Statistics
Dear Department of Human Services,
Compensation recovery is included in the following legislation:
(a) Social Security Act 1991 (Cth) for statutory refunds to Centrelink
(b) Health and Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995 (Cth) for Medicare
(c) National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth) Chapter 5
Centrelink reporting on revenue from statutory refunds is a necessity for determining the success or otherwise of the reforms. The annual revenue figures from 1992; as well as the percentages for paid and unpaid claims would be available; they are just not being made accessible to the public.
Please provide the following:
1. Annual revenue totals from 1992 to 2018 (both inclusive) received as a consequence of the statutory refunds in relation to the Social Security Act 1991 (Cth).
2. To determine statistics for each state and territory, reconcile with the figures in point 1 and provide:
(a) the annual totals of revenue received from law firms for each separate state and territory;
(b) the number of transactions that make up the totals in 2 (a). This will identify if there are fewer claims in specific states. Reporting in relation to the MODC forms would assist.
3. The annual revenue totals from 1996 to 2018 received as a consequence of the statutory refunds in relation to the Health and Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995 (Cth).
4. From the figures provided in point 3, the annual totals for the revenue received from law firms in the separate states and territories. These figures will show the recovery rates per state and territory.
5. The annual figures in relation to points 1/2 and 3/4 that have been paid directly from insurers or their claims’ managers.
Yours faithfully,
Julie Middleton
Dear Ms Middleton,
Please find attached correspondence in relation to your FOI Request LEX
48556.
Many thanks,
Freedom of Information Legal Team
Employment Law and Freedom of Information Branch
Legal Services Division I Department of Human Services
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Dear Ms Middleton
Please find attached correspondence in relation to your FOI Request LEX
48556.
Kind regards
Elsa
Freedom of Information Team
Employment Law and Freedom of Information Branch | Legal Services Division
Department of Human Services
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Dear FOI.LEGAL.TEAM,
Thank you for your letter dated 12 November 2019 and I agree to pay the charge.
I shall mail a money order tomorrow for the $20 deposit.
Yours sincerely,
Julie Middleton
Dear FOI.LEGAL.TEAM
On 13 November 2019 I mailed a money order for $60.
Could you please advise if you have received the payment.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Julie Middleton
Dear FOI.LEGAL.TEAM,
The response to my request has been delayed.
On 13 November 2019 I mailed a money order to the Department for the total estimated cost of $60.
An extension could apply under the FOI Act. Section 15AA Extension of time with agreement.
Could you please provide an update on the progress of my request.
Yours sincerely,
Julie Middleton
Dear Ms Middleton,
The department received your money order for a total of $60.00 dollars on
20 November 2019. As a result the department has begun processing your
request.
You can expect a decision in relation to your request by 28 November 2019.
We will inform you if the processing time needs to be extended for any
reason.
Many thanks,
Elsa
Authorised FOI Decision Maker
Freedom of Information Legal Team
Employment Law and Freedom of Information Branch
Legal Services Division I Department of Human Services
*: [email address]
This email and any attachments may contain information subject to legal
professional privilege or information that is otherwise sensitive or
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prohibited from using or disseminating this communication. If you have
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Julie Middleton <[FOI #5750 email]>
Sent: Friday, 22 November 2019 7:52 AM
To: FOI.LEGAL.TEAM <[email address]>
Subject: Re: LEX 48556 - Communication - Letter [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear FOI.LEGAL.TEAM,
The response to my request has been delayed.
On 13 November 2019 I mailed a money order to the Department for the total
estimated cost of $60.
An extension could apply under the FOI Act. Section 15AA Extension of
time with agreement.
Could you please provide an update on the progress of my request.
Yours sincerely,
Julie Middleton
-----Original Message-----
Dear Ms Middleton
Please find attached correspondence in relation to your FOI Request LEX
48556.
Kind regards
Elsa
Freedom of Information Team
Employment Law and Freedom of Information Branch | Legal Services Division
Department of Human Services
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IMPORTANT: This e-mail is for the use of the intended recipient only and
may contain information that is confidential, commercially valuable
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reliance upon, this information is prohibited and may result in severe
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Dear Ms Middleton
Please find attached correspondence in relation to your FOI Request LEX
48556.
Kind regards
Riley
Freedom of Information Team
Employment Law and Freedom of Information Branch | Legal Services Division
Department of Human Services
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IMPORTANT: This email and any attachments may contain information subject
to legal professional privilege or information that is otherwise sensitive
or confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you
are prohibited from using or disseminating this communication. If you have
received this communication in error please notify the sender immediately
and permanently delete this email.
**********************************************************************
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IMPORTANT: This e-mail is for the use of the intended recipient only and
may contain information that is confidential, commercially valuable and/or
subject to legal or parliamentary privilege. If you are not the intended
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Dear FOI.LEGAL.TEAM,
With reference to your letter of 28 November 2019:
1) I shall make a request for an external review by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner; and
2) a $60 payment was requested and paid for this FOI request. At this time the $60 should be held by the Department of Human Services, pending the decision due on 16 December 2019 for my second request, which is for Compensation Recovery Policies and Procedures, your reference: LEX 49179. The fee for the $60 money order was $11 and I do not wish to incur further costs for a second money order if a fee applies for the second FOI request.
Yours sincerely,
Julie Middleton
Dear Ms Middleton,
I refer to your correspondence dated 30 November 2019, in which you
requested that we retain the money order you provided in relation to the
preliminary estimate of charges in this request while you awaited a
decision in your separate request dated 15 November 2019 (LEX 49179).
I understand that no charges were applicable for that request.
As such, the department will refund the $60.00 preliminary charge that you
paid (via money order). Please directly email
[1][email address] and advise of the following details
so that we can return the money to you by direct deposit:
· account name;
· BSB; and
· account number
of your preferred bank account.
Alternatively, we can return the money order to you by express post and
you can receive repayment in line with term 7 of the Australia Post
‘ordinary money order service terms and conditions’. Please directly email
[2][email address] and advise of your postal address.
Kind regards,
Freedom of Information Team
Employment Law and Freedom of Information Branch | Legal Services Division
Department of Human Services
Email: [3][email address]
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this information is prohibited and may result in severe penalties. If you
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Dear FOI.LEGAL.TEAM,
A review application is now with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) about this FOI decision by the Department of Human Services.
At this time, I am seeking a credit for the $60 paid because there are other FOI requests in progress.
1. Statistics for recipients of the Disability Support Pension and Newstart Allowance - response due 23 December 2019.
2. Compensation Recovery Program Documentation - response due 17 January 2020.
3. Compensation recovery errors caused by data-matching - response due 20 January 2020.
It is more efficient for the Department to hold the $60 payment in credit.
Yours sincerely,
Julie Middleton