donna

I know theres a($1,500?) threshold for out of pocket expenses as i always hit that,but ive heard that once you hit a certain amount on scripts the price of them decrease,can anyone confirm that?
At the moment i pay approx $70 amonth for my compounded thyroid and hormone tablets and approx $30 for my daughters longterm medication,the specialist has now double that dose so in theory i could be paying $60 a month for this.Anyone heard of this?
thx Donna

moneypenny20

Depending on how much money is coming into the household, you could be entitled to a Health Care card for the prescriptions. I can't remember what the income amount is but it's bound to be on the Centrelink site. We were hoping that First Born could have a card but because she's 17 but still living at home she's not. Here's the link.

donna

thx for that but we dont qualify under that,oh well,never mind!

Rosscarbery

There is a threshold. This is going to be the vaguest advice ever but I got a letter last year as I had had quite a lot of medical expenses saying that I should register for something (can't remember what it was called) which meant that if I reached the threshold things would be cheaper. I definitely went to the medicare office and filled out some form but I can't for the life of me remember what it's called! Go and ask at medicare (I'm not normally a dumb blonde, honest!).

wannabwarma

I think you may be refering to the 'Safety Net' scheme. It runs per calander year, when (as a family) you reach the set amount (this year it's around $1400) you start paying $5.40 per presciption.
So if you only use the one pharmacy - they will have a record of how much you are spending...if not - the next time you fill a perscription ask for a saftey net card and your stickers - so you can keep a running total of how much you are spending...when you reach the designated amount, you can claim for your safety net card - which will then entitle you to the reduced price prescriptions until the end of the year!

donna

but i thought the safety net is for all out of pocket expenses,medicare keep a track of that ,ie out of pocket from doctors etc,so if keep a running total of them as well as my scripts,i can them get them reduced.wow,thx for that.

mulben

No the safety net is only on scripts (Jan to Dec ) , the other one is July to June and claimed on your tax.
Safety net can be claimed as a family

donna

and is that still $1400?.
I get more of a % back from medicare(jan to Dec)when i go above the threshold for out of pocket,didnt realise there was a seperate one for scripts.
I also get a rebate back when i claim on tax(july to june) as i usually go over that too.

AlliF

The threshold limit for scripts this year is $1281.30 (or 324 concessional).
If you have the card and go to different pharmacies they can stick the stickers on there for you. The PBS threshold runs annually same as the other medicare one. Remember you can claim Script costs on your tax offset too so get a tax invoice ( i just get mine printed yearly as i go to the same chemist every time).

The threshold on the Medicare safety net is the $1400.
It all adds up...

mark213

There are two safety nets:

PBS Safety Net - Scripts and medication
http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/...cripts/pbs.jsp

Medicare Safety Net - doctor and hospital costs
http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/.../msn/index.jsp

Then there is the out of pocket expenses you can also claim on tax (i think is $1500)
http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/co...tent/19181.htm

moneypenny20

I went well over the threshold last year, imagine I will again this year but didn't realise there was a script one.

donna

thx for that guys,have just spoken to specialist and he will prescribe one tab but double dose(same cost),i can then use pill cutter ,and hey presto,that,ll save me some money.
Thx for the links guys
donna

AlliF

I'm surprised your pharmacist didn't mention it to you. Maybe they are trying to keep it quiet to prevent you from getting cheap drugs..

moneypenny20

I use a Pharmacy Warehouse, already saving a packet over using a normal place. Will have to look into more discount though.

joho

you can claim the cost of scrips on your tax too and also other medical stuff thats needed, I did last year and there are some rules and regs so check it all too. I always use the same chemist and get a print out of costs at the end of the year.

Jo