Medicare in Australia
12 June 2015 by News Desk
Medicare provides access to medical and hospital services for all Australian residents and certain categories of visitors to Australia. We administer Medicare, including the payment of Medicare benefits on behalf of the Department of Health, which is responsible for developing Medicare policy.
Medicare covers:
Free or subsidised treatment by health professionals such as doctors, specialists, optometrists and in specific circumstances dentists and other allied health practitioners
Free treatment and accommodation as a public Medicare patient in a public hospital and 75% of the Medicare Schedule fee for services and procedures if you are a private patient in a public or private hospital. This does not include hospital accommodation and items such as theatre fees and medicines
We pay Medicare benefits in accordance with the legislation governing Medicare and we have no discretion to pay benefits outside of this legislation.
The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) lists services that are subsidised by the Australian Government under Medicare. Check if a service is listed under Medicare on the Department of Health MBS Online website.
Medicare Safety Net – Once you reach a relevant threshold, the Medicare Safety Net provides an additional benefit for eligible services, on top of the standard Medicare benefit. This may mean that visits to your doctor or having tests could cost you less for the rest of that calendar year.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme – Many types of medicines cost much more than the price you pay. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the PBS Safety Net can reduce the cost of medicine. If you have an Australian Government concession card, you will pay even less for your PBS medicines when you show your card.
Private health insurance – If you or your family pay for private health insurance, you may be eligible for the Australian Government Private Health Insurance Rebate on your premiums.
