Australia's healthcare system

Question 1

Define communicable diseases

Answer 1

Communicable diseases: Diseases that can be transmitted from one person to another
Eg. Influenza, measles

Question 2

Define non communicable diseases

Answer 2

Non communicable diseases: Diseases obtained from lifestyle choices
Eg. Heart disease, type 2 diabetes

Question 3

What are the sections of healthcare?

Answer 3

Biomedical and preventative models

Question 4

What does the biomedical section involve?

Answer 4

Involves treating biological aspects of diseases.
Splits into two categories:
Diagnosis and treatment
Known as the quick fix approach
Examples include: Blood tests, surgery, medication

Question 5

What does the preventative model involve?

Answer 5

This model of health takes into account all determinants of health and aims on promoting healthy lifestyles to prevent any diseases from occurring or detecting early signs of an illness.
Examples: breast screening, sun smart, healthy eating pyramid

Question 6

Define medicare

Answer 6

A universal healthcare system which aims to provide free or little cost for healthcare in Australia and other eligible countries.

Question 7

Who is eligible for medicare?

Answer 7

Australian and new Zealand citizens, permanent residents and people from countries with reciprocal agreements. Anyone over the age of 15 may have their own Medicare card.

Question 8

How is medicare funded?

Answer 8

1. The Medicare levy: This takes an additional 2% of
   taxpayers income. Low income earners are
   exempt.
2. The Medicare levy surcharge: High income earners
   who do not take out private health insurance will be
   charged extra.
3. General taxation

Question 9

What does medicare cover?

Answer 9

Out of hospital expenses
Medicare will provide free or low cost to the following
- Doctors and specialists
- Eye tests by optometrists
- Diagnostic testing
In hospital expenses
Under Medicare, any patient that enters as a public patient is fully covered.
However, they do not have a choice as to when they will be treated or who will be their doctor. Patients that have private insurance may also choose to be a public patient.
People admitted as private patients will have 75% of their scheduled fee covered

Question 10

what doesnt medicare cover?

Answer 10

• Cosmetic procedures
  
  • Private hospital costs (only 75% is covered)
  • Most dental treatments and examinations
  • Ambulances
  • Physiotherapy , speech therapy, chiropractors and alternative medicines
  • Hearing aids, glasses and contacts

Question 11

Define medicare rebate

Answer 11

The Medicare rebate is based on a scheduled fee which doctors may charge extra for. If this is the case then the individual must pay an out of pocket expense

Question 12

Define bulk billing

Answer 12

Bulk billing is when doctors do not charge more than the scheduled fee so the individual does not have to pay out of pocket expenses.

Question 13

Advantages of medicare

Answer 13

Choice of doctor in out of hospital services Available to all Australians
Covers doctor’s fees, tests, examinations and some procedures

Question 14

disadvantages of medicare

Answer 14

• No choice of doctor for in hospital services
  
  • Waiting lists
  • No cover for alternative medicines
  • Often does not cover full costs of doctors

Question 15

The pharmaceutical benefits scheme

Answer 15

Cuts the cost of many prescription medications so Australians can afford them.
$38.80 or $6.30 for concession cards

Question 16

what is private health insurance

Answer 16

A form of insurance where members pay a premium for coverage towards medical healthcare which aren’t covered by Medicare.

Question 17

what does private health insurance cover?

Answer 17

It covers things such as:

- Dentist
- Physiotherapy
- Chiropractors