Medicare

[dglamoore]

Hi

Here is some info on medicare - http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/

If you are on an SIR visa you will get necessary health cover under the reciprocal agreement with the uk. More info on this can be found here - http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/yourhealth/going_overseas/uk_sweden_finland_norway_netherlands_malta_italy.h tm

Lisa :D

[Angela]

Hi Lisa :)

I was wondering with Medicare - because there is the rep agreement as we are from the UK - does this mean there are NO charges at all?

I have read a lot about 'Billing' - whats this?

Thanks
Angela :P

[dglamoore]

Hi Angela

Not 100% sure myself but think anything that is necessary is covered. Just a general trip to doctors etc would be charged. If you get a doctor that bulk bills they claim direct from Medicare rather than you having to.

This is the info I have got from reading around not from experience

Lisa :D

[Angela]

Thanks Lisa.

Do you think anyone emigrating from the UK ever bothers with private healthcare. It sounds to me that we get the necessary immediate treatment free, we have to pay for dental though - as we do in the UK.

I think with Medicare you still have to speak to them when you get to SA as there is some kind of card or something so that if you need to give the GP who bulk bills then this number is used at that time.

I know what I mean but I cannot explain it properly. Health insurance is the one area that I might leave to my OH, its too complicated for me!! :lol:

Angela

[dglamoore]

Hi Angela

We will start with Medicare and see how it goes :lol:

Friends of ours got to Adelaide a couple of months ago and their daughter had an accident at the weekend and she broke her arm quite badly (she is fine though). They could not fault the care she received through A&E, surgery and an overnight stay in hospital - all on Medicare not private.

Just remember even if you go with Medicare you will still need Ambulance cover or you would have to pay if you need an ambulance for any reason.

http://www.saambulance.com.au/publicweb/products-amb.html

Lisa :lol:

[Angela]

Great Link Lisa thanks.

I had no idea you would have to pay for ambulance services.
I guess for a family @ $107.00 p/a its not TOO expensive.

Fingers crossed we won't need it!!!! :!: :!: !!!!

Angela :)

[BJF]

I'm still trying to get my head around Medicare after two years but basically when you are looking for a Dr to register with make sure they BULK BILL. This means you pay nothing, if they don't you pay for the appointment then take your receipt to the medicare office to claim back a percentage of the cost.

Our eldest daughter had to be taken from our house to the local hospial about a month back (suspected appendix) and we haven't been charged for it so I don't know about ambulance charges but the rules may be different in SA to QLD, I guess I'll find out when I move there.

[dglamoore]

Great Link Lisa thanks.

I had no idea you would have to pay for ambulance services.
I guess for a family @ $107.00 p/a its not TOO expensive.

Fingers crossed we won't need it!!!! :!: :!: !!!!

Angela :)

We were quite surprised they charge $600 upwards for emergency ambulance in SA!! Think we will pay the cover charge too just in case :D

Lisa

[Libby1971]

Hi

I just wondered if anyone had any information about prescription costs. My daughter and I require regular medication for conditions that are long term. How much are prescriptions in Oz? I have found out that if you pay x amount in a year you can get subsidised for the rest of the year but am trying to work out how long that will be?

I have to admit being really concerned about this as this could cost me a fortune.

I would be grateful for any and all information on this.

Thanks

Libby

[Davyfella]

My wife is an Insulin dependant Diabetic that is the problem we are woried about for the medical, and then how much it will cost when we get there, anyone have any idea?

[graandjac]

A mate is also a diabetic so before he started the visa process he has just done the medical part first for his diabeties and they give him a report to take to the final medical before the visas are issued his agent put him in touch with the relevlant doctor hope this helps
Gra and Jac

[chillyanna]

hi all
i am wanting to know if there is a set cost for medicare or does it depend upon size of family,age, health history, and so on,,, i must admit i know very little about the medicare system apart from it is like the U.K's N.H.S.
and also does the cost of ambulance cover vary? i have visited the medicare australia website but did not find what i was looking for.
thanks
paul

[dglamoore]

hi all
i am wanting to know if there is a set cost for medicare or does it depend upon size of family,age, health history, and so on,,, i must admit i know very little about the medicare system apart from it is like the U.K's N.H.S.
and also does the cost of ambulance cover vary? i have visited the medicare australia website but did not find what i was looking for.
thanks
paul

The basic medicare is free apart from prescriptions which you have to pay for. You can then top this up with private if you wish. Ambulance cover is one set price for a family per year of $111

Ambulance Cover Info (http://www.saambulance.com.au/publicweb/products-amb.html)

Lisa:cute:

[chillyanna]

further to my last post, who and how many companies offer private medical cover and what is an averge price for private cover?
thanks again :)

[Traci5]

here you go people.....here are a few links to private medical insurance for you....

We are entitled to Medicare as we are on a Permanent Visa and that is what it is.... an entitlement....Private health insurance is as it is in England....if you think you would rather go Private and be seen quicker then get it.....

We have ambulance cover and the top 'Extras' package with Medibank Private and this covers us for all sorts of extras from Dental and Physio to alternative remidies and optical.
Good especially as we have 4 boys.

When you get here just go along to any Medicare office and they will sort out all the paperwork you need and also you'll beable to apply for any family assist and rent assist that you may be entitled to.
Every little helps!

www.medibank.com.au (http://www.medibank.com.au)
http://www.hcf.com.au/
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/private-1
www.allianz.com.au (http://www.allianz.com.au)
http://www.nib.com.au/

Enjoy......Traci.x

Oh and Chilly you can always give us a ring and ask us these questions you know where we are....we dont mind helping....especially with a baby on the way...!! xx:cute:

[dglamoore]

You are also entitled to Medicare on any temporary visa including a tourists visa under the reciprocal health care agreement between Oz and the UK so don't think you will not get it if not PR :o

We just went down to the medicare office with passports in hand and got issued a medicare card which will cover us all for any 'necessary' healthcare even on an SIR495 :jiggy:

Lisa:cute:

[graandjac]

Hi Davy, a mate of mine who is thinking of the big move is also insuline dependent and has paid £600 ish to get his diabetes checked out before he does anything else, application wise , this ment getting a medical done just for his diabetes from a ozzy board doctor, so when he has his final medical this report will go with him and answer all questions. Rather than have to do this at the final hurdle and cause delays.
Cheers Graham