Australia's health system Flashcards
Medicare
Australia’s health insurance scheme, administered by the federal government.
allows Australian citizens access to subsidized health care.
PBS
Pharmaceutical benefits scheme
essential medicines are subsidized where consumers make a co-payment.
NDIS
National Disability insurance scheme
Provides services and support for people with permanent, significant disabilities, and their families and carers
Private Health Insurance
a type of insurance where a member pays a premium in return for payment in health related costs not covered by medicare.
optional form of health insurance
Medicare Advantages
choice for doctor in out of hospital services
available to all Australian citizens
covers tests and examinations
Medicare Disadvantages
may be a gap where a co-payment is necessary
does not cover alternative services
no choice for doctors at in hospital services.
How is medicare funded?
the medicare levy
medicare levy surcharge
general taxation
Private health insurance disadvantages
costly in terms of premiums
polices are complex and hard to understand
sometimes has a gap that insurance doesn’t cover so the patient has to make a co-payment.
private health insurance rebate
30% rebate incentive - 30% refund on their policy premium
life time health cover
People who take up private insurance after the age of 31 pay an extra 2 per cent on their premiums for every year they are over the age of 30.
Once taken out, if an individual holds private health insurance for 10 continuous years, the loading is removed and the individual will pay the same amount as someone who took out insurance at the age of 30.
encouraging people to sign up earlier
medicare levy surcharge
People earning more than $90 000 a year pay an extra tax as a Medicare levy surcharge if they do not purchase private health insurance.
