Chapter 6: Health system Flashcards
Explain Medicare.
Australia’s universal healthcare system, aiming to improve access to healthcare for all Australians and provide access to adequate healthcare at little or no cost to all Australians in need of treatment, regardless of age or income.
What is private health insurance?
A health policy that individuals and families can purchase to cover health services (e,g. Optical) not covered by Medicare.
What is the pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS)?
An initiative to subsidise the cost of a wide range of prescription medications, providing Australians with vital medications at affordable prices.
Explain Medicare locals.
Primary healthcare organisations that coordinate and tailor service delivery to meet the needs of their local community. They link patients and service providers - including GP’s, nurses, allied health, hospitals, aged care etc. - to decrease duplication of service delivery and improve continuity of care.
Explain Medicare levy.
It’s an amount of money paid by most taxpayers that contributes to funding of the healthcare system.
Explain the values that underpin Australia’s health system.
(Remember SEECARS)
S- safe: avoidance of harm when healthcare is delivered.
E - effective: achieving the desired outcome.
E - efficient: achieving desired results with cost-effective use of resources.
C - continuous: ability to provide care or service over time.
A - accessible: ability of people to obtain healthcare.
R - responsive: services are client orientated; clients are treated with dignity and confidentiality.
S - sustainable: capacity to sustain workforce and infrastructure in order to respond to emerging needs.
What is a schedule fee?
A fee set for a service by the Australian government.
Explain the Medicare safety net.
A rebate scheme introduced by federal government to benefit patients, covering variety of doctors visits and tests received out of hospital.
What is the gap amount?
The difference between the Medicare benefit and the schedule fee.
What are out of pocket costs?
The difference between the Medicare benefit and what the doctor charges.
Outline responsibilities in health that each of the three levels of government hold.
Local: provide a safe environment to community e.g. Waste collection, public recreational facilities and funded by federal government grants.
State and territory: provide guidance and direction to local governments e.g. Provide funds for public hospitals
Federal: healthcare that impacts on all Australians such as Medicare e.g. Enforce laws and direct other systems of government to implement laws. Funded through taxation
What is lifetime health cover?
Government initiative designed to encourage people to take out hospital insurance earlier in life to maintain cover.
What is private health insurance rebate?
A reduction in premium cost of private healthcare, aka a refund.
