Subclass 475 and 495 Visaholders - Medicare Entitlement

[Alan Collett]

I thought some would be interested to know that I have spoken with Medicare Eligibility this morning, and am advised that:

 

- subclass 475 visaholders from the UK are eligible for Medicare under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) between the UK and Australia

 

- this (in essence) allows for the reimbursement under Medicare of treatment that is "medically necessary" (including attendance at doctors and medicines)

- 475 visaholders can obtain a Medicare card; this is a slightly different colour to the standard Medicare card, and will have the word "Reciprocal" on it

- there is no entitlement to exemption from paying the Medicare Levy on Australian assessable income due to an ability to access Medicare

- it is recommended that private health care is obtained to supplement Medicare

- there is less of a choice of private health care providers for those accessing Medicare under the RHCA: interested persons should feel able to send me a PM or an email so I can provide further details

- once the application for permanent residency has been lodged individuals can obtain full Medicare cover: you do not have to await permanent residency visa grant before accessing full Medicare

 

Best regards.

[Alan Collett]

A brief mention of a couple of tax issues to add to the consideration of whether or not to take out private health care:

 

1. The Medicare Levy Surcharge:

http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.asp?doc=/content/7128.htm

 

2. Lifetime Health Cover initiative:

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-privatehealth-lhc-providers-general.htm

 

Best regards.

 

[Guest Emu]

Thanks for this info, when we went to do our Medicare card they said we weren't entitled, but then we explained about the reciprocal agreement and they did the card.

[Guest soggy]

I thought some would be interested to know that I have spoken with Medicare Eligibility this morning, and am advised that:

 

 

 

 

- subclass 475 visaholders from the UK are eligible for Medicare under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) between the UK and Australia

 

 

 

 

- this (in essence) allows for the reimbursement under Medicare of treatment that is "medically necessary" (including attendance at doctors and medicines)

 

 

- 475 visaholders can obtain a Medicare card; this is a slightly different colour to the standard Medicare card, and will have the word "Reciprocal" on it

 

- there is no entitlement to exemption from paying the Medicare Levy on Australian assessable income due to an ability to access Medicare

 

- it is recommended that private health care is obtained to supplement Medicare

 

- there is less of a choice of private health care providers for those accessing Medicare under the RHCA: interested persons should feel able to send me a PM or an email so I can provide further details

 

 

- once the application for permanent residency has been lodged individuals can obtain full Medicare cover: you do not have to await permanent residency visa grant before accessing full Medicare

 

 

 

Best regards.

 

 

 

Hi,

when I looked at private health cover while on a 495 I found it very expensive and did not give anywhere near the cover as a PR holder would get, I decided it would be better to save the money, if not to pay for treatment, to pay for a flight back to the UK! but then I like a risk:)

 

Simon

[Guest Mandy H]

Hi Alan

Thanks for this info, much appreciated, also for the 475, info about becoming permanent residents, was really worried about that, but you have calmed my nerves a little

 

Mandy

[Guest Snape Family]

Alan

 

Thanks for this. This will be useful for when we arrive.

 

Tracey

[NickBrigham]

Hi,

 

We have been here for over a year and have reciprocal cover being temp residents. Does anyone know if the loading applies as we are reciprocal, or is it only after a year of permanent residency that we would need to pay it?

 

Nick