woogle

We have the Grandparents over from UK at the moment & wondered if anyone has managed to get reduced rates for English visitors, for transport,museums etc ?
Also, FIL has to have a routine blood test whilst he's here, is there any way he can claim something back when they go home, or are there no reciprocal arrangements for visitors?

thpinkpussycat

When my inlaws and my mum came over last year we got conssession on most things with out being asked for proof.

Sam

snappy

UK has an agreement with Australia with regards to medicare expenses. So they should be able to claim back some money towards fees charged for any medical procedures.

Personally I ask every time if there is local rates or if there are concessional rates for OAP's.

Hope you have a great time with them

woogle

thanks, we're having a great time with them , do you know, would they claim that back in oz, or uk ?

Izzy

Strictly speaking, apparently they are not supposed to get concession rates, but many places will offer and if you don't ask you don't get. My in laws got concessions on all the trains etc, but were adamantly refused at a National trust property. Don't know about healthcare I'm afraid.

Katherined0

I believe you have to claim back at a medicare centre....

kt.2006

My dad needed to go to the doctors while he was here. The medical centre he went to bulk billed (and knew nothing about the reciprocal arrangement) so he went ahead and paid anyway. It cost him about $300 which I think he may try to claim back on his holiday insurance.

We should have gone to a Medicare centre beforehand and they would have given us a medicare card to take with us.

woogle

We should have gone to a Medicare centre beforehand and they would have given us a medicare card to take with us.[/QUOTE]

So we can get a medicare card for a uk visitor? how does that work?

steandleigh

My mum had to go to Mossman Hospital in 2005 for a broken arm and the reciprocal agreement meant she paid nothing for her treatment (nursing care, x-rays, bandaging etc), likewise with the follow up, immediately and over over the following weeks at Cairns base hospital (more x-rays, specialist care, plaster cast, sling etc).

And, my parents were really amazed at the level of care and attention Mum received whilst under QLD health.

Stes mum is an OAP and she has been refused discounts at touristy places as she isn't a PR.

steandleigh

So we can get a medicare card for a uk visitor? how does that work?[/QUOTE]

No, you cannot get a medicare card for a none PR visitor. But, reciprocal agreement between Aus and Uk means free treatment.

woogle

ok, thanks for the info, will go there next week & see what we need to do.

readfearn

Hi Woogle

This has got nothing to do with your thread, but I'm a feature writer on the Courier-Mail. I'm looking for a young couple recently arrived to ask why you came to Australia.

It's linked to a story in the UK about people moving over here, which came out at the same time as a story here, saying Australian's are going over there!

Would you be up for it - it would just involve a chat on the phone and a visit from a photographer?

Graham Readfearn (formerly of Rochdale!)
07 3666 6806