cq3; medicare vs. private

Question 1

What is medicare?

Answer 1

Australia’s universal health care system, which provides free health care to all Australian citizens.

Question 2

How is medicare covered

Answer 2

It is covered by Australian tax payers (2%) medicare levy

Question 3

What are the types of equity?

Answer 3

• Horizontal
• Vertical

Question 4

What is horizontal equity?

Answer 4

Everyone has the same needs and receive the same services. Assumes everyone’s needs are somewhat similar.

Question 5

What is vertical equity?

Answer 5

Targeting groups of greater need (e.g. such
as the elderly, ATSI and people of Low SES)

Question 6

What are the advantages of medicare?

Answer 6

1. Free access to public hospital treatment, especially on emergency surgeries.
2. Free G.P visits, covered under bulk billing.
3. Some cover on dental, optical and 5 free physiotherapy treatments if prescribed. (horizontal equity)
4. Medicare safety net. (vertical equity)
5. Online medical consults during COVID. (especially for the elderly and rural and remote areas.) (vertical equity)

Question 7

What is bulk billing?

Answer 7

Rather than GPs charging the customer prices they send a bulk bill at the end of a period to the government to pay.

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of Medicare?

Answer 8

1. Longer waiting times for elective surgery (during the pandemic, elective surgery under Medicare was put on hold.)
2. Can’t choose doctor.
3. Overcrowded hospital rooms and beds.
4. Relies heavily on access and some groups don’t have the same access as others.

Question 9

What is private health insurance?

Answer 9

Extra cover taken up by people who want to have greater health care benefits.

Question 10

What are the disadvantages of private health insurance?

Answer 10

1. expensive and not everybody has access, creating social justice issues
2. doesn’t cover everything.(only form of insurance that is not completely comprehensive)
3. the premiums increase every year, even when the service is not used.
4. You have to take out private health insurance before the age of 30, in order to receive cheaper cover.

Question 11

What are the advantages of private health insurance?

Answer 11

1. exempt from the extra medicare levy surcharge. (2%)
2. ancillary benefits (extras) dental, optical, chiro, physio
3. covers some costs for elective surgery
4. choice of doctor
5. short waiting times
6. own room in a hospital and own bed and greater
   attentive care due to a greater staff to patient ratio
7. rebates for some services, up to 35%

Question 12

What is the medicare safety net?

Answer 12

Something that allows for the people who are spending a certain amount on health care to get more money back once they reach a certain threshold.