healthcare system australia kat 6

Question 1

define medicare

Answer 1

Medicare is Australia’s universal healthcare system. It aims to provide access to adequate healthcare at little or no cost to all Australians in need of treatment, regardless of age or income.

Question 2

what is the aim of medicare

Answer 2

to improve the access to healthcare of all Australians in need of treatment, regardless of age or income, at little no cost.

Question 3

how is medicare funded

Question 4

what does medicare cover and what does it not?

Question 5

who can use medicare?

Answer 5

• Everyone who lives in Australia
• Everyone who is an Australian or New Zealand citizen
• Everyone who has a permanent visa

Question 6

what is the medical benefits scheme (MBS)?

Question 7

what is a scheduled fee?

Question 8

what is bulk billing?

Question 9

what is the medicare safety net?

Answer 9

an additional rebate scheme introduced by the federal government for the benefit of patients, covering a range of doctors’ visits and tests received out of hospital. It provides for reimbursement of 100 per cent of the MBS fee for out-of-hospital services once the relevant threshold has been met.

Question 10

how does medicare work?

Question 11

what are the advantages of medicare?

Answer 11

• Being able to access essential healthcare as a public patient in a public hospital for little or cost.
• Being able to receive a range of tests for a subsided cost, tests and examination, and specialists’ fees (schedule fee only), and some procedures such as x-rays and eye tests.
• Choice of doctor for out-of-hospital services
• Available to all Australian citizens
• Reciprocal agreement between Australia and other countries allows Australian citizens to access free healthcare in selected countries.

Question 12

what are the disadvantages of medicare?

Answer 12

• No choice of doctor for in-hospital treatments
• Long waiting lists for less essential treatments
• Does not cover alternative therapies
• Gap amounts or out-of-pocket costs to the individual
• Lack of choice of doctor for in hospital treatment in a public hospital

Question 13

what are the objectives of medicare?

Answer 13

1. to make healthcare more affordable for all Australians
2. to give all Australians access to healthcare services with priority according to clinical need.
3. to provide a high quality of care.

Question 14

what is the aim of PBS

Answer 14

is to subsided the cost of a wife range of prescription medications, providing Australians with vital medications at affordable prices to ensure that optimal health outcomes and economic objects are achieved.