Information needed on Medical System in Australia

[Guest cat08]

Hi

My husband & I are moving to Sydney at the end of the year. I have just been diagnosed with an illness and wondered once we get there how does it all work so that I am able to see a doctor soon? Also do GP's there refer to a specialist, how long would it take to be seen by a specialist and would I have to pay privately to be seen?

I have no idea how the system works there and what I would be entitled to. I wonder if the waiting lists are as long as in the UK? If someone can help I would appreciate that very much.

Thanks Cat

[Guest bob and ginnie]

As a British resident, you are covered by a two way agreement between Britain's National Health Scheme and Australia's Medicare Scheme.

If you are a permanent resident of Australia, you will be covered by Australia's Medicare anyway.

You can book in to see a GP anywhere in Australia. You may have to go when he/she is free to see you, so phone beforehand and the receptionist will give you a time that day to see the doc.

Medicare pays 85% of the doctor's fee, as laid down by the Australian gov't. The doctor may choose to charge more than the fee set by the gov't and you will pay all the surcharge yourself.

A GP is needed to refer anyone on to a specialist.

Medicare will pay 85% of the specialist's fee also, up to the fee set by the Australian gov't. If the specialist chooses to charge above the scheduled fee, you pay all the surcharge yourself.

Public hospitals are free.

Private hospitals you have to pay.

You can get private health insurance cover, but there will almost surely be a waiting period if you have a pre-existing condition, before they will pay out. This is usually 12 months.

If your illness is a serious condition, you may be advised to seek treatment in Britain. Australia's hospitals are good and the waiting list not as long as the U.K. from what I hear, but you will have to pay for private treatment yourself which is expensive. [/i]

[Guest Ian & Sarah]

Cat,

 

Sarah here. Bob & Ginnie wrote a great reply.

 

I'm Aussie living in the UK. I also used to work for the Health Insurance Commission (Govt department that runs Medicare) back in Australia many years ago now but know a decent amount about it.

 

The only other 2 cents I'll add - there are also 24 hour medical centres (particularly in Sydney - where I lived) which "bulk bill". This means that as Medicare patients we don't have to pay a cent to see a GP at the medical centre. The doctor will get you to sign a slip and then these slips get sent to Medicare where they then pay the doctor the standard govt rate. I know alot of people don't like the personal attention that can be given at a medical center as there are generally (depending on the size of them) sometimes up to 20-30 doctors working and you can't pick or choose who you want to see (you can but you have to end up waiting). Any doctor's surgery that states they "bulk bill" means you won't have to pay a cent - just ask when you ring them or pop your head in the door.

 

The 2nd thing I was going to say is - after being in the UK, my apologies but, your health system (and we pay alot of money every month for it!!) is absolutely shocking!!! There is nothing better than the Medicare system and you can see a doctor on a weekend at 4am if you wanted too!

 

Hope this all helps, take care and I know the Australian Medicare will look after you.

 

Sarah

x

[Guest cat08]

Many thanks for your help with this Ian & Sarah & Bob & Ginnie. I feel abit better now knowing that the doctors are good over there and that they will help me. Thanks again.

[Guest doctormister]

Hi All

 

My family and I are about to move to Melbourne - 3 days to go.

 

I have completely forgot to sort out medical insurance, but do I need it?

 

I am British, therefore do I qualify for Medicare (a recipricoral agreement with the NHS)?

 

However I have been non resident for the last 4 years, as we have been working in the Middle East.

 

Any ideas if we qualify for Australian Health Care, free, or shoudl I be taking out medical insurance? If insurance is needed then has anyone any recommendations or sources of information. We are in our early 40's, with 3 kids between 11 and 5 and are all healthy.

 

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

Regards

 

doctormister

[Guest ABCDiamond]

Hi All

 

My family and I are about to move to Melbourne - 3 days to go.

 

I have completely forgot to sort out medical insurance, but do I need it?

 

I am British, therefore do I qualify for Medicare (a recipricoral agreement with the NHS)?

 

However I have been non resident for the last 4 years, as we have been working in the Middle East.

 

Any ideas if we qualify for Australian Health Care, free, or shoudl I be taking out medical insurance? If insurance is needed then has anyone any recommendations or sources of information. We are in our early 40's, with 3 kids between 11 and 5 and are all healthy.

 

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

Regards

 

doctormister

Are you arriving as a PR here, or on a temp visa ?

 

As a visitor, you would only be entitled to the Reciprocal "Emergency treatment" under Medicare.

 

As PR, you will be entitled to full medicare.

 

Private Insurance may be justified depending on your income, as we have the Medical Levy Surcharge (MLS)

 

If you are a single person, earning more than $50,000 per year, or a family earning more than $100,000 per year combined, then a correctly chosen Private Medical Insurance Policy will save you from paying the extra 1% Medical Levy Surcharge (MLS).

 

Individuals and families on these higher incomes, who do not have private patient hospital cover (including their dependants and their spouse if they have one), may be liable to pay the extra 1% MLS for any period that they did not have this cover.

[Guest doctormister]

Thanks ABCDiamond

 

I'm on 4 Yr Business VISA, not as a PR.

 

Any ideas where I can get advice on what would be a suitable Private Medical Insurance Policy?

 

Thanks

 

doctormister

[Guest bob and ginnie]

Hop on a search engine for Australian private Health Insurers .

 

Two I can think of that offer cover for Victorian residents would be:

 

Medical Benefits Fund http://www.mbf.com.au

 

and

 

Medibank Private . . . http://www.medibankprivate.com.au

 

alternatively, you can just pay an extra 1% tax in the form of a surcharge to the Medicare levy of 1.5% common to the average Australian taxpayer, once you hit an income of $50K for a single person / $100K for a family.