srh82 Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Hello All I apologise if this question has been asked before. My parents will visit me in August. They are both Brits from birth and are UK residents. They will visit me for around one month. Would they be able to apply for a reciprocal Medicare card for their stay in Australia? Any pointers appreciated. Thank you all Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 My parents always get travel insurance as it covers all the extra things as well. My dad had an accident and needed to go to A&E and he was covered by the reciprocal agreement without having a card. At the hospital they didn't even ask for any proof however I did offer them his passport to photocopy which they did, and gave them my phone number. Sure enough, we had a couple of follow up phone calls to verify his eligibility. Everything was covered - xray, ct scan and all checks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srh82 Posted January 21, 2016 Author Share Posted January 21, 2016 Thank you @Alaska :-). That is good to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blossom Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 I wouldn't apply for one for such a small amount of time. I'd get whatever prescriptions they need before coming over. If they do end up needing to see a Dr over here they can claim most of it back after the fact. Or hospitals are free anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 As long as they have travel insurance they should be fine. The reciprocal agreement is only for essential medical care and there are other potential issues which aren't covered e.g. someone has an accident and needs repatriation, that isn't covered by the agreement. They wouldn't need a medicare card for just a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal2 Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 As Quoll says it is only for essential cover, for example if they visited a Doctor for a cough and were prescribed antibiotics, they would have to pay for the consultation and prescription as per an Australian. They would only be able to claim the money back from insurance, although Dr appointments as free in the UK, it's a reciprocal agreement meaning you will be treated as a person living here would be, some people get confused and think it should be free as it is in the UK. Hospitals are free, but again some things have to be paid for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srh82 Posted January 21, 2016 Author Share Posted January 21, 2016 Thank you everyone for the advice. Much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blossom Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 As Quoll says it is only for essential cover, for example if they visited a Doctor for a cough and were prescribed antibiotics, they would have to pay for the consultation and prescription as per an Australian. They would only be able to claim the money back from insurance, although Dr appointments as free in the UK, it's a reciprocal agreement meaning you will be treated as a person living here would be, some people get confused and think it should be free as it is in the UK. Hospitals are free, but again some things have to be paid for. Although if you go to a bulk billing Dr it is still free (with a Medicare card, otherwise you claim it back). I only once had to pay in 5 years of being on a reciprocal card and I got most of that back. And as for essential, it covers far more than you'd imagine, including one eye test every two years. Not that you'd be doing that for a month visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 My MIL fell ill while here in oz after her specialist in the UK cleared her for travel after she reported new symptoms from ongoing chronic issues. She was admitted to an Australian hospital and treated for months with a plethora of tests etc but unfortunately nothing could be done. She died and my father in law got no bill at all if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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