Youth Health Literacy

Allied health services

healthcare professionals outside the medical, dental and nursing professions

Alternative health services

Healthcare that can be used instead of or alongside traditional health services.

Bulk billing

When the doctor or specialist charges only the schedule fee so the payment is claimed directly from Medicare and there is no out-of-pocket expense for the patient.

General Practioner

A doctor who has a wide range of skills and knowledge and looks after most of the people in a community

Health Literacy

Relates to how people access, understand and use health information and services in ways that promote and maintain health and wellbeing. 

Medicare

Australia’s universal healthcare scheme that aims to provide accessible and affordable medical services to Australian citizens and citizens of other countries with reciprocal agreements such as New Zealand

Out of pocket expenses

Costs that the patient must pay themselves

In-hospital expenses

Costs for treatment and accomodation in public hopsitals 

Medicare levy

2% tax most Australian taxpayers pay to fund Medicare

Medicare levy surcharge

An additional 1-1.5% tax on high income earners who do not have private health insurance

Medicare safety net

Ensures that people who require frequent services covered by Medicare, such as doctors visits and tests receive additional financial support 

Patient co-payment

The payments made by the consumer for health products or services in addition to the amount paid by the government

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

Funded by the Australian federal government to provide affordable access to the essential prescribed medications on the list. 

PBS safety net

Ensures that people who spend a large amount of money on PBS medications receive additional financial support

Schedule fee

The amount that the government decides that each item is worth and so Medicare contributes it towards certain consultations and treatments

Subsidised

partially paid for by the government

Private health insurance

An insurance policy that helps pay for services not covered by Medicare

National Disability Insurance Scheme

Funded by the Australian federal government to provide Australian residents and their families with funding to help reduce the impact of a permanent and significant disability so they can lead an ordinary life.