gra001 Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Guys, I'm in Oz for three months (from the UK) and now have three weeks left. Realised I hadn't bought enough medication with me (my fault) so had to go to the docs for a prescription and then the pharmacist to get it made up. Total cost circa $150, can I claim this back. Didn't extend my private health cover, my understanding being there is a reciprocal arrangement between the UK and Australia. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 If you have a medicare card you can claim some of the cost for the GP appointment, but not the cost of the prescription. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Did you get a Medicare card? If not I'm not sure they will backdate. It also depends on what the medication was. I have some meds that cost me $125 as they aren't PBS meds. I'm a citizen it doesn't make any difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzukiscottie Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Maybe check to see if your travel insurance covers the costs. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gra001 Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 Thanks guys, no Medicare card so will go to their offices and register. Even if I can't recoup from this docs visit it's probably worthwhile doing as I regularly visit Oz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tickled Pink Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 (edited) This is the criteria for having a Medicare card: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/eligibility-medicare-card hold Australian citizenship hold documented New Zealand citizenship - read more about Medicare enrolment for New Zealand citizens have been issued with a permanent visa have: applied for a permanent visa, excluding an application for a parent visa permission to work in Australia or can prove a relationship to an Australian citizen or permanent resident You won't be entitled to a Medicare card if you are on a tourist or visitor visa (e.g. 600). You would need travel insurance instead and claim from there. There is the reciprocal arrangement with the UK that covers emergency treatment (e.g. a trip to A and E). Edited February 21, 2016 by Tickled Pink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 (edited) This is the criteria for having a Medicare card: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/eligibility-medicare-card hold Australian citizenship hold documented New Zealand citizenship - read more about Medicare enrolment for New Zealand citizens have been issued with a permanent visa have: applied for a permanent visa, excluding an application for a parent visa permission to work in Australia or can prove a relationship to an Australian citizen or permanent resident You won't be entitled to a Medicare card if you are on a tourist or visitor visa (e.g. 600). You would need travel insurance instead and claim from there. There is the reciprocal arrangement with the UK that covers emergency treatment (e.g. a trip to A and E). TP, if UK resident it's not just A&E. It covers all regular medicare treatment that can't wait until you go home....so even general GP stuff, plus PBS medicines, plus out-patient free specialists and free in-patient hospital treatment...say you had a sty developing or something that couldn't wait to you went home then it is covered. Depending on the length of your stay most things might be considered eligible. You also do enrol in medicare but I think you get a different card to the regular one. Edited February 21, 2016 by fish.01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tickled Pink Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 I think my post says 'e.g. a trip to A and E'.... was giving one example of something that might constitute reciprocal emergency treatment. Anything that can't wait until return home kinda falls into that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 If you have a medicare card you can claim some of the cost for the GP appointment, but not the cost of the prescription. Would be eligible for PBS coverage so could they not back claim the prescription as well ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 (edited) I think my post says 'e.g. a trip to A and E'.... was giving one example of something that might constitute reciprocal emergency treatment. Anything that can't wait until return home kinda falls into that... Sure. The laws are vaguely worded so people sometimes think it is emergency stuff only...just want to make sure the OP realises even normal old trivial non-emergency stuff down at the GP's office is covered too in most circumstances. Any UK resident who visits OZ can just apply for a visitors medicare card and pop down to the GP. That whole emergency vs essential in their official wording can be a little unclear. Edited February 21, 2016 by fish.01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Would be eligible for PBS coverage so could they not back claim the prescription as well ? Depends what the meds were - not everything is PBS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gra001 Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 Thanks for continued help, a friend commented that I can register online instead of making a trip to their offices so I'll give that a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Thanks for continued help, a friend commented that I can register online instead of making a trip to their offices so I'll give that a go. Medicare? That's a new thing then as you use to have to take your passport and visa in. I know you can make claims using the app. Please let me know how you go on and if it's now possible to register online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gra001 Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 Medicare? That's a new thing then as you use to have to take your passport and visa in. I know you can make claims using the app. Please let me know how you go on and if it's now possible to register online.think you are probably right as I can see no way of registering online so sent them an email to ask. Will definitely reply on this thread and let you know how I get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Depends what the meds were - not everything is PBS Right, I thought you were saying they definitely couldn't claim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gra001 Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 Medicare? That's a new thing then as you use to have to take your passport and visa in. I know you can make claims using the app. Please let me know how you go on and if it's now possible to register online. No joy online, went to the office and all sorted, for this stay at least. When I return to Oz i need to go back and register again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blossom Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 This is the criteria for having a Medicare card: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/eligibility-medicare-card hold Australian citizenship hold documented New Zealand citizenship - read more about Medicare enrolment for New Zealand citizens have been issued with a permanent visa have: applied for a permanent visa, excluding an application for a parent visa permission to work in Australia or can prove a relationship to an Australian citizen or permanent resident You won't be entitled to a Medicare card if you are on a tourist or visitor visa (e.g. 600). You would need travel insurance instead and claim from there. There is the reciprocal arrangement with the UK that covers emergency treatment (e.g. a trip to A and E). You can get a reciprocal Medicare card if you are from the UK and are on a temp visa (you don't have to have applied for pr). Far more than just emergency treatment is covered. I was on one for five years and never came across anything an Aussie could get that I couldn't. Including an eye test every two years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gra001 Posted February 24, 2016 Author Share Posted February 24, 2016 You can get a reciprocal Medicare card if you are from the UK and are on a temp visa (you don't have to have applied for pr). Far more than just emergency treatment is covered. I was on one for five years and never came across anything an Aussie could get that I couldn't. Including an eye test every two years.yes, I am here on a visitor visa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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