About the Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme

Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme

The Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme (MASS) provides funding for medical aids and equipment to eligible Queensland residents who have a permanent and stabilised condition or a disability. The scheme helps people to live at home and avoid early or inappropriate residential care or hospitalisation.

Aids and equipment are subsidy funded on a permanent loan basis, through private ownership or the supply of consumables. If you pay for more than 50% of the cost for an item, you can choose to take ownership, rather than having a permanent loan. However, this means that you are responsible for all repairs to that item.

MASS General Guidelines

The MASS General Guidelines (PDF 434 kB) assist prescribers in submitting applications to MASS and are updated regularly to reflect new requirements and eligibility criteria. In general, clients may be eligible for assistance under MASS if they:

• are a permanent resident of Queensland
• have a permanent/stable condition or disability
• hold a pensioner concession card, health care card or Queensland Government Senior Card
• meet specific clinical eligibility criteria relevant to the aid.

Relevant application guidelines and forms for each scheme or aid/equipment provide detailed information regarding eligibility requirements.

Types of aids and equipment

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
In line with the recent changes to the Aged Care funding model and introduction of the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding, the MASS eligibility criteria for persons who reside in a residential aged care home will be updated from 13 March 2023. 

With the introduction of the AN-ACC, the concept of high and low care under the previous Aged Care Funding Instrument has been removed and does not apply to the AN-ACC funding model. Under AN-ACC, funding is linked to each classification (1 – 13) based on the measured average costs of providing all the specified care and services as needed for the people in each class.

These changes will be reflected in the MASS General Guidelines from 13 March 2023.

Prescribers should also refer to the relevant application guidelines and forms for each type of aid/equipment:

• communication aids
• continence aids
• daily living and mobility aids
• heat moisture exchangers
• home oxygen
• medical grade footwear
• orthoses
• spectacles

General MASS forms

MASS-eApply is available for prescribers to register and submit online applications for MASS clients. More information can be found on MASS-eApply webpage.

• MASS 83 - Accident and Incident Form (PDF 732 kB) – used by clients/carers to report accidents or incidents involving MASS aids.
• MASS 70 - Acquittal Form (PDF 726 kB) – used by supplier, prescriber and clients for acquittal of aids supplied by MASS.
• MASS 81 - Client/Prescriber Satisfaction Feedback Form (PDF 939 kB) – used to provide feedback to MASS.
• MASS 82 - Consent for Photograph/Video Form (Equipment) (PDF 698 kB) - used to give consent to photograph/video the applicant using the aid to assist with the MASS20 application process.
• MASS 82 - Consent for Photograph Form (Medical Grade Footwear and Orthotics)  (PDF 787 kB)- used to give consent to photograph the applicant using the aid to assist with the MASS60 application process.
• MASS 84 - Proxy Access to Centrelink Information Form (PDF 707 kB) – used to provide consent for MASS staff to access Centrelink concession card information when a photocopy of the concession card is not attached to the MASS application form.
• MASS 80 -  Supplier Performance Report Form (PDF 1039 kB) – used to submit comments about the performance of a commercial supplier or manufacturer.
• MASS Complaints and Compliments Form (PDF 769 kB) – used to submit complaints or compliments to MASS. This can be completed anonymously.