7.2 Medicare

What is Medicare?

australia’s universal health insurance scheme that provides subsidised healthcare to all australians

What does medicare cover?

GP consultations, blood test, x-ray, eye tests by optometrists, accomodation and treatment of doctor in public hospital, 75% of schedules fee on private hospital care

What isn’t covered by medicare? (7)

most private hospital costs, most dental, ambulance, allied health services, traditional medicines, aids such as glasses/ hearing aids, pharamaceuticals

What is the Medicare Levy?

a 2% tax placed on the taxable income of most tax payers

What is the Medicare Levy Surcharge?

people without private health insurance earning more than a certain amount have to pay an extra 1-1.5% of their income to medicare

What is the Medicare Safett Net?

provides extra financial assistance for those that incur significant costs for medicare services.

Advantages of Medicare (4)

choice of doctor for out-of-hospital services, available to all australian citizens, reciprocal agreement between australia and other countries, covers schedule fee for doctors and specialists

Disadvantages of Medicare

no choice of doctor in hospital, long waiting lists for some treatments, doesn’t cover alternative therapies, often still out-of-pocket costs