MEDICARE UNIT 2 HHD

medicare

medicare is Australia’s universal health insurance scheme, established in 1984 and managed by the federal government. it provides subsidised healthcare to various services.

what does medicare cover

• GP and specialist consultations

• X-rays and pathology

• eye tests

• minor surgical and therapeutic procedures

• mental health treatment plans

• medicare also covers 85% of the schedule fee for specialists

what doesn’t medicare cover

• ambulance cover

• most dental care

• accommodation and other costs associated with private hospitals

• allied health services, unless referred by a GP

• alternative medicines, unless referred by a GP

schedule fee

relates to what the government deems to be a fair amount for various services and what medicare will contribute.

co-payment

patients pay the difference if doctors charge more than the schedule fee.

bulk bill

no out of pocket cost if a doctor charges only the schedule fee.

how are general taxes used

general taxation is used to help fund medicare through the medicare levy revenue collected, through said Australian taxpayers.

medicare levy

it is an additional 2% tax places on the taxable income of most taxpayers. those with low incomes or with specific circumstances may be exempt from paying the levy.

medicare levy surcharge

it is an extra 1-1.5% levy paid by australian taxpayers who don’t have private hospital cover and are considered by the government to be high income earners.

advantages of medicare

• choice of doctor for out-of-hospital services

• available to all Australian citizens

• covers tests and examinations, doctors’ and specialists’ feels (schedule fee only) , and some procedures such as X-rays and eye tests.

disadvantages of medicare

• no choice of doctor for in-hospital treatments

• waiting lists for many treatments'

• often doesn’t cover the full amount of a doctor’s visit

medicare safety net

once an individual or family has contributed a certain amount out of their own pocket to medicare services in a calendar year ($2544.30 in 2024), further financial support is provided by the government, making medicare services cheaper for the remainder of that year.