Medicare + PHI + Australia's healthcare system Flashcards
Know services under these organisations How they are funded How to explain them.
What is Medicare?
Medicare gives all Australians, permenant residents and people from countries with a reciprocal agreement access to healthcare that is subsidised by the government.
What does Medicare cover?
Consultation fees for doctors (GP’s and specialists)
Tests and examinations to treat illnesses (eg. x-rays)
Pathology (blood tests)
Eye tests
What is the Medicare Safety Net?
Provides extra financial assistance for those that incur significant out of pocket costs for Medicare services.
2 advantages of Medicare
Choice of doctor for out of hospital services
Available to all Australian citizens
Allows Australian citizens to access free healthcare in selected countries.
2 disadvantages of Medicare
No choice of doctor for in-hospital treatements.
Waiting lists for many treatments
Often doesn’t cover the full amount of a doctor’s visit.
How is Medicare funded?
Medicare is funded through three services of income:
- General taxation
- The Medicare levy
- The Medicare levy surcharge
Define Medicare levy
An additional 2% tax placed on the taxable income of most taxpayers.
Define the Medicare levy surcharge
An additional 1-1.5% tax on the income of people without private hospital insurance earning more than a certain amount.
What is Private Health Insurance?
A type of insurance for which members pay a premium (fee) in return for payment towards health related costs not covered by Medicare.
Define the PBS
The medicines are subsidised so consumers must make a patient co-payment.
3 advantages of PHI
Enables access to private hospital care
Choice of doctor while in public or private hospital
Helps to keep the costs of operating Medicare under control
2 disadvantages of PHI
Costly in terms of the premiums that have to be paid
Sometimes it doesn’t cover the whole fee and one has to pay the difference.
