sharonhartley

Hiya All,

Just wondering if anyone on here can help me out, we have a friend who is visiting us here in Queensland from the UK. He has no medical Insurance but needs to see a Doctor/Hospital, could someone please advise where he would stand? If he has to pay? any maybe cost?

Many Thanks

Sharon

ozhappy981

If he is from the UK, then he has access to Medicare under the reciprocal health care agreement between UK and Australia.

That means he pays the same as an Australian citizen/perm resident, i.e. if the doctor/hospital bulk-bills he pays nothing. If they don't bulk-bill, he pays the "gap".

He should take his passport with him when he goes to see the doctor/hospital.

sharonhartley

Many thanks Ozhappy, appreciate your help.

Sharon

Kamie26

I always rely on the reciprocal agreement when I come here to Queensland. I had to go to the hospital last week and paid nothing to be seen or for the medication I needed (massive allergic reaction to a species of mosquito don't you know). When I was on a working holiday visa a number of years ago, I had to go to the hospital loads of times (worst run of luck ever) and was only ever charged for the ambulance that I needed when I had a car crash, and even the other guys insurance paid that as he was at fault.

sharonhartley

Hiya Kamie,

All sorted now thank you, he did not have to pay a thing.

Gosh you have not had much luck chuck, but it's good that the health care system is so great here too.

Thanks

Sharon

lonndongeek

This isn't quite correct. Under the reciprocal agreement the only treatment provided is that which is medically necessary. According to medicare: "Medically necessary treatment means any ill-health or injury which occurs while you are in Australia and requires treatment before you return home".

Cheers

LG