The Department of Health and Aged Care’s Hearing Services Program (HSP) has made changes to the Revalidated Service Request process to streamline approvals and ensure requests comply with program requirements.
The changes kicked in this week. From 22 April 2025 all Revalidated Service Requests must now include supporting evidence and expire three months after submission.
Approved revalidated refittings must now take place within three months of the date of submission of the Revalidated Service Request.
These changes aim to:
- reduce follow-up requests for extra information from service providers
- speed up the assessment process
- minimise recoveries of non-compliant claims.
A provider notice stated a recent audit had revealed that many revalidated service claims lacked sufficient supporting evidence. This meant responses to submissions were delayed by the program having to seek extra information from providers to support a decision.
“As revalidated services are based on client need, the program expects providers to deliver these services promptly after receiving approval,” the department said.
“When submitting a request, providers must prepare supporting evidence as a single PDF document and label it as follows: Client given name CLIENT FAMILY NAME – Voucher number – Revalidated Service Request.pdf.”
Evidence should meet legislated requirements in the Schedule of Service Items and Fees.
Providers must also get approval before providing services to the client, the department said.
Meanwhile, new monthly statistics for the Voucher Scheme component of the HSP reveal that for the 2024-2025 year, up until 10 April 2025:
- 102,958 new vouchers were issued
- 166,021 return vouchers were issued
- 672,972 clients were serviced
- 327,322 devices were fitted.
More reading
HHSA urges government to extend HSP to low income people and create new aged care screening item
HSP consultation results reveal most support some changes but concerns remain
All Hearing Services Program forms can now be completed digitally
