Medicare changes

[richjop]

Keep hearing that they are changing the Medicare rules and we are getting confused about what this means for a temp 475 holder, do we have to get private health cover in addition to the reciprocal arrangement we have for emergencies? Anybody able to help?

[Andrew Williams]

Hi Richjop

The recent proposed budget changes were regarding the medicare levy surcharge. It was an additional tax of 1% of assessable income that had to be paid for single people earning approximately over $50k and couples/families earning over $100k if they are resident for tax purposes and they do not have private health insurance.

The proposal is to increase the income threshold to $100k for singles and $150k for couples/families.

Whether you wish to take private health insurance is up to the individual, however if you are in the earnings bracket where the tax applies to you and you have private health insurance then you do not have to pay the TAX!!!

Hope this helps

Andy

[richjop]

Hi Andrew

Thanks for the prompt reply. I will look into this before end of FY.

Richard

[melbourneben]

Weve found the reciprocal medicare card covers just the same as the aussie citizen recieves. E.G we can claim money back for going to the doctors, dental scans and my partner recently had a chest scan which was covered.

We dont have any insurance, but then were only mid twenties, earning 100k between us. We might consider it in our 30's.

Im considering getting ambulance cover as that can be expensive if you ever need to call it.

[donna T]

Im considering getting ambulance cover as that can be expensive if you ever need to call it.[/quote]


Definitely get Ambulance Cover - my Son had a fall and had to go to flinders by Ambulance - bill was $744

Luckily the school covered our bill as the accident happened at school