Kenneth Wragg Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 Hello: Can visitors who are waiting for a bridging Visa get Medicare? KGW 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 (edited) If you are British, then you are entitled to reciprocal cover and, yes, you should go and register at your local Medicare office and get a medicare card - it won't be a full medicare card. But you should also have taken out private health insurance so that you are covered in the event of something which is not covered by the reciprocal agreement. Expect to pay some part of your doctor's consultation - most Australians do anyway, it's a co-pay system, it's not like the NHS. But do be aware that something you may consider necessary might not be considered necessary by the medical profession so not everything automatically be covered. Edited November 10, 2018 by Quoll Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 As Quoll says, because you were resident in the UK immediately before your arrival in Australia, you will be covered by the reciprocal agreement, and you should register for a Medicare card. It's not full cover. It covers: medically necessary care out of hospital medically necessary care as a public patient in a public hospital prescription medicines at a lower price - this is the general rate for drugs in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme It doesn’t cover: medicines that aren’t in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme care planned before you got to Australia private hospital care public hospital care as a private patient ambulance travel dental care care from a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, eye therapist, chiropractor, podiatrist or psychologist glasses and contact lenses hearing aids and other devices prostheses care that isn’t clinically essential cosmetic surgery checks for life insurance or superannuation or to join a friendly society home nursing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenneth Wragg Posted November 11, 2018 Author Share Posted November 11, 2018 Marisa. We have spoken before. Thank you for your in-depth email and the fine detail, will do everything you have said. Regards. KGW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libbye Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 I am finally in the throes of planning my return to Aus and it will be if all goes well into a retirement village, rental situation. Tasmania. I have attempted to find out more info about my entry back into Medicare but without success. I will not be able to afford private insurance and neither would I get it at 80 years of age. So if I may I'd like to list my queries please - I am a type 2 diabetic only requiring 2 tablets per day. Will I be covered? Does a aus pensioner receive any assistance with consultations? I think bulk billing might e the correct way to go but am unsure how many centres bulk bill . I guess that's something I'll have to wait and see! Is a pensioner entitled to reduced price for prescriptions? Do you pay for each individual item? Specialists? Any rebate for consultations and treatment? I did read somewhere but cannot find the answer again that on returning to Australia one has to wait 9 weeks before being able to receive Medicare. If no-one knows I'll try again to phone them but have had no luck so far. Thank you and a happy New Year to one and all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 38 minutes ago, libbye said: I am finally in the throes of planning my return to Aus and it will be if all goes well into a retirement village, rental situation. Tasmania. I have attempted to find out more info about my entry back into Medicare but without success. I will not be able to afford private insurance and neither would I get it at 80 years of age. So if I may I'd like to list my queries please - I am a type 2 diabetic only requiring 2 tablets per day. Will I be covered? Does a aus pensioner receive any assistance with consultations? I think bulk billing might e the correct way to go but am unsure how many centres bulk bill . I guess that's something I'll have to wait and see! Is a pensioner entitled to reduced price for prescriptions? Do you pay for each individual item? Specialists? Any rebate for consultations and treatment? I did read somewhere but cannot find the answer again that on returning to Australia one has to wait 9 weeks before being able to receive Medicare. If no-one knows I'll try again to phone them but have had no luck so far. Thank you and a happy New Year to one and all. All the pensioners here in Devonport seem to be bulk billed. Each prescription costs just over $6. I'm not sure about specialists and consultants but I know of a few pensioners who have needed to go to them and it was free. Also not sure about the 9 week wait before receiving Medicare. This is a very big move for you Libby. Are you doing it on your own or is your daughter helping you? A very happy New Year to you. 2019 will be a year of big changes for you. Hope it all goes smoothly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libbye Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Am having problems with this link. Page shoots downwards and I can't scroll up again! Thanks you for your reply. I've tried linking into myGov, but it's still in my late husband's name! strangely it was never in his name but someone has decided to change it. Will try and phone them again. If all goes according to plan I hope to move to Newstead but nothing definite yet. Still waiting on confirmation the house has actually sold and that will be mid January when I know for sure. I'm not anticipating a negative answer so am now preparing to sell furniture and loads of other stuff as the unit will be very small but beautiful. If the one I think I would like is available that is. A lot of ifs and buts but it will work out in the end I'm sure. My eldest daughter hopes to come to France and help me in the last week. I think it will be an emotional time for me leaving all the memories behind but it has to be. A few french friends have offered a helping hand which I will certainly need after 40 years of marriage and everything we've bought together. I have met with a lady on the internet who has proven to be a wonderful friend who lives in Tasmania but she is such a busy person and I've driven her mad with so many questions. She's one incredible human being and been there for me over the past very difficult months. Better than family. However, as on this forum have been able to access information that has been invaluable and the necessity to know as much as possible about medical care is important. I do pay for private insurance here but it;s a different setup entirely. I've never had to be concerned about additional expense. I will need medication that won't last 9 weeks if that is the case so must be prepared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 1 hour ago, libbye said: I am finally in the throes of planning my return to Aus and it will be if all goes well into a retirement village, rental situation. Tasmania. I have attempted to find out more info about my entry back into Medicare but without success. Are you moving to the village at Claremont? It looks lovely. I assume you're an Australian citizen. In that case, you just need to re-enrol for Medicare when you return. I'm not aware there's any waiting time. You go to the office with your passport and ideally, your old Medicare number. You also need to provide TWO documents to prove that you are residing in Australia again. That could be a lease agreement (in your case for the retirement village), and evidence of an Australian bank account. You can also offer proof that you've left your old country of residence, e.g. evidence of the sale of your former home. If you were living in the UK at the moment, then you'd be able to claim reciprocal health care immediately - however as you've been living in France, that doesn't apply. If there is a delay, then the worst case scenario is that you'll have to pay for a private visit to a GP and pay the full price for a prescription. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libbye Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 HelloMarisa Thank you for your informative reply. I am an Australian citizen but don't think I have a Medicare number that i can lay my hands on. Have been away nearly 16 years. Will have a search though in the meantime. As I have no known home to come to at the moment this could present a problem. If I'm able to go straight to a village home then that would help but there's a lot of work to be done before I actually find somewhere. I already have an aus bank account which have had for over 50 years. My aus pension is paid into France. I have a couple of health problems other than diabetes so it's essential I get things sorted asap when everything is in place for the move. A massive task and I can't say I relish the idea but it has to be especially since my husband died recently. If I have to pay then so be it. Hopefully it won't be for long. Centrelink want every scrap of evidence once the house sale goes through so am prepared for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 23 minutes ago, libbye said: Hello Marisa Thank you for your informative reply. I am an Australian citizen but don't think I have a Medicare number that i can lay my hands on. Have been away nearly 16 years. Will have a search though in the meantime. As I have no known home to come to at the moment this could present a problem. If I'm able to go straight to a village home then that would help but there's a lot of work to be done before I actually find somewhere. I understand about the delay because we had a similar problem moving from Australia to the UK. We had to provide proof of residence for various things but it took us several weeks to find a place, and nothing could be done until we had the documents. It's frustrating! They say to bring your Medicare card or number IF you have it, so it's not essential. You'll need proof of ID instead. To answer your other questions - there are various concession cards you can get as a pensioner, which can reduce your prescription costs. Like the pension, they're means tested, so ask about them when you're dealing with Centrelink. Once you have your Medicare card, look for a GP that bulk bills. Then you'll pay nothing for your visits. Also when you are referred to a specialist, make sure you tell your doctor that you want to be treated in the public system, then you'll pay nothing. Doctors here are so used to people having private health insurance, they automatically choose private specialists unless you speak up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveshe Posted January 27, 2019 Share Posted January 27, 2019 Marisa , my husband has been here 55 years and we still have to pay for a specialist . Its not private and was done through our doctor . So not always free . $370 just to walk through his door at our local public hospital . Will get some back through medicare .He is nearly 66 and of retiring age . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libbye Posted January 27, 2019 Share Posted January 27, 2019 Thanks for that. Yes Australia does worry with it's Medicare. Before we left 17 years ago we had paid out a fortune in medical fees for specialists tests for prostate cancer and a lot more plus dental bills. The french system for the moment is excellent and although I pay health cover it literally does pay for everything. Probably will change as France's debt grows but now it's wonderful. I wish I could wave a magic wand and know which direction I should take as it's no mean feat moving from here to Tasmania where I know only one person and as yet have nowhere to go. I do have the choice to go to Cairns or back to Ballarat to be with my daughters but I don't choose to do that. I've been away too long. I'm only on the aus pension ans from experience I know that doesn't go far.. At 80 it's aint easy! All I know is nothing stays the same but don't want to get caught being so hard up I have no life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted January 27, 2019 Share Posted January 27, 2019 48 minutes ago, steveshe said: Marisa , my husband has been here 55 years and we still have to pay for a specialist . Its not private and was done through our doctor . So not always free . $370 just to walk through his door at our local public hospital . Will get some back through medicare .He is nearly 66 and of retiring age . I was referred to a cardiologist by my GP and it hasn't cost me a cent also the same when sent to a gynecologist. I wonder why you had to pay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libbye Posted January 27, 2019 Share Posted January 27, 2019 I think the system has changed somewhat since we were there. I believe when you pay out it's automatically paid back into your account. Is this correct? Before were given the refund in cash at the counter and you know what that means! Does it find it's way back into your account. Maybe it's not so bad then. I think all over the world now specialists are in high demand and there's a long waiting time. uk I believe is one of the worst but even here we can wait up to 6 months to see an opthamologist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted January 27, 2019 Share Posted January 27, 2019 We are bulk billed Libby so don't pay. Because there are so many retired people in our area most of the doctors bulk bill. Saves them the paperwork I think. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 On 27/01/2019 at 21:55, Toots said: I was referred to a cardiologist by my GP and it hasn't cost me a cent also the same when sent to a gynecologist. I wonder why you had to pay. I think the specialist was a private one. Just because it was a public hospital doesn't mean the specialist was working in the public system. That's one of the problems with the Australian system. Unless you're obviously hard up, most GP's automatically refer you to a private specialist without even asking. They won't tell you that you've got the option to see someone in the public system. So I think a lot of people are in the dark about specialists being available in the public system, as I was until recently - they think that specialists cost money and that's that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rammygirl Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 Always ask. Even for prescriptions ask for generic. Even then depends on the chemist what they charge. I went to a local Terry Whites recently and was charged nearly three timed the amount than Chemist Whitehouse for the exact same drug, same packet, literally the same product . I complained and they price matched without argument. Go figure Seriously never be afraid to discuss costs you can save without compromising. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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