Originally Posted by Swerv-o

Hi all,

I though I'd share with you the problems I am experiencing in registering with Medicare, just so that you may be forewarned.

I went in this morning to try and register and was told that the documents I had 'were not the right ones'. I took my passport with my visa, my contract from my job, my TFN advice letter and my local bank cards, as it suggests on the Medicare web site.

The (unhelpful) bloke behind the desk said that I needed more ID to prove that I was actually living here. Now, as I am in a shared house, and have only been here 10 weeks, I don't have any bills with my name and address on. I havn't received any bank statements yet and my credit card hasn't been approved yet.


So at the mnoment I'm really struggling with this. Has anybody else found this?

They gave me a really 'useful' sheet, and they are asking for things like letters form my previous employer stating that I have left, evidence of the sale of my UK property, customs documents relating to importing my possessions or evidence of closure of UK banking facilities. They also suggested that I could get a letter from the British High Commission stating that I have left the UK! I can imagine how easy that will be to get hold of...

Part of the problem is that I opened my bank account before I arrived, so don't have any documentation of having opened one after arrival. It seems that the system is heavily loaded against the independent traveller who comes with a couple of suitcases, then stays in shared accommodation.

Problem is that I could really do with going to see the Doctor, as I have had strange stomacg pains for the last 2 weeks, and they don't show any signs of going away...

Any suggestions?

S

Originally Posted by Swerv-o

Hi all,

I though I'd share with you the problems I am experiencing in registering with Medicare, just so that you may be forewarned.

I went in this morning to try and register and was told that the documents I had 'were not the right ones'. I took my passport with my visa, my contract from my job, my TFN advice letter and my local bank cards, as it suggests on the Medicare web site.

The (unhelpful) bloke behind the desk said that I needed more ID to prove that I was actually living here. Now, as I am in a shared house, and have only been here 10 weeks, I don't have any bills with my name and address on. I havn't received any bank statements yet and my credit card hasn't been approved yet.

So at the mnoment I'm really struggling with this. Has anybody else found this?

They gave me a really 'useful' sheet, and they are asking for things like letters form my previous employer stating that I have left, evidence of the sale of my UK property, customs documents relating to importing my possessions or evidence of closure of UK banking facilities. They also suggested that I could get a letter from the British High Commission stating that I have left the UK! I can imagine how easy that will be to get hold of...

Part of the problem is that I opened my bank account before I arrived, so don't have any documentation of having opened one after arrival. It seems that the system is heavily loaded against the independent traveller who comes with a couple of suitcases, then stays in shared accommodation.

Problem is that I could really do with going to see the Doctor, as I have had strange stomacg pains for the last 2 weeks, and they don't show any signs of going away...

Any suggestions?

S

Originally Posted by Swerv-o

Hi all,

I though I'd share with you the problems I am experiencing in registering with Medicare, just so that you may be forewarned.

I went in this morning to try and register and was told that the documents I had 'were not the right ones'. I took my passport with my visa, my contract from my job, my TFN advice letter and my local bank cards, as it suggests on the Medicare web site.

The (unhelpful) bloke behind the desk said that I needed more ID to prove that I was actually living here. Now, as I am in a shared house, and have only been here 10 weeks, I don't have any bills with my name and address on. I havn't received any bank statements yet and my credit card hasn't been approved yet.

So at the mnoment I'm really struggling with this. Has anybody else found this?

They gave me a really 'useful' sheet, and they are asking for things like letters form my previous employer stating that I have left, evidence of the sale of my UK property, customs documents relating to importing my possessions or evidence of closure of UK banking facilities. They also suggested that I could get a letter from the British High Commission stating that I have left the UK! I can imagine how easy that will be to get hold of...

Part of the problem is that I opened my bank account before I arrived, so don't have any documentation of having opened one after arrival. It seems that the system is heavily loaded against the independent traveller who comes with a couple of suitcases, then stays in shared accommodation.

Problem is that I could really do with going to see the Doctor, as I have had strange stomacg pains for the last 2 weeks, and they don't show any signs of going away...

Any suggestions?

S

Originally Posted by Swerv-o

Hi all,

I though I'd share with you the problems I am experiencing in registering with Medicare, just so that you may be forewarned.

I went in this morning to try and register and was told that the documents I had 'were not the right ones'. I took my passport with my visa, my contract from my job, my TFN advice letter and my local bank cards, as it suggests on the Medicare web site.

The (unhelpful) bloke behind the desk said that I needed more ID to prove that I was actually living here. Now, as I am in a shared house, and have only been here 10 weeks, I don't have any bills with my name and address on. I havn't received any bank statements yet and my credit card hasn't been approved yet.

So at the mnoment I'm really struggling with this. Has anybody else found this?

They gave me a really 'useful' sheet, and they are asking for things like letters form my previous employer stating that I have left, evidence of the sale of my UK property, customs documents relating to importing my possessions or evidence of closure of UK banking facilities. They also suggested that I could get a letter from the British High Commission stating that I have left the UK! I can imagine how easy that will be to get hold of...

Part of the problem is that I opened my bank account before I arrived, so don't have any documentation of having opened one after arrival. It seems that the system is heavily loaded against the independent traveller who comes with a couple of suitcases, then stays in shared accommodation.

Problem is that I could really do with going to see the Doctor, as I have had strange stomacg pains for the last 2 weeks, and they don't show any signs of going away...

Any suggestions?

S

Originally Posted by Swerv-o

Hi all,

I though I'd share with you the problems I am experiencing in registering with Medicare, just so that you may be forewarned.

I went in this morning to try and register and was told that the documents I had 'were not the right ones'. I took my passport with my visa, my contract from my job, my TFN advice letter and my local bank cards, as it suggests on the Medicare web site.

The (unhelpful) bloke behind the desk said that I needed more ID to prove that I was actually living here. Now, as I am in a shared house, and have only been here 10 weeks, I don't have any bills with my name and address on. I havn't received any bank statements yet and my credit card hasn't been approved yet.

So at the mnoment I'm really struggling with this. Has anybody else found this?

Originally Posted by JAJ

You don't need to prove residency in Australia if you are a new migrant. Your visa is enough.

Read this booklet, and try another office. If they are equally unreasonable, insist on speaking to a manager/supervisor:
http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/...ligibility.pdf

For future reference, you ought to know that the Parliamentary Ombudsman can call government departments and agencies to account for incompetent administration:
http://www.ombudsman.gov.au/

Originally Posted by Swerv-o

Just to let you know, I've been to the quack, and she thinks that I have an inflamed bowel. Probably brought on by stress, and possibly combined with excessive alcohol consumption...

Ooops....

Anyway, I though I'd just remark on what an efficient and high quality service it was - 20 mins from walking in off of the street to prescription in hand, and all for $56, $31 of which are refundable.

There was no faffing about registering, or filling in health questionairres, just straight in and straight to the doctor with barely chance to breathe. A 15 min consultation, where she took blood pressure and did other doctorly things.

It was certainly a contrast to Doctors surgeries in the UK - probably wouldn't have been able to get an appointment until sometime next week. I think it's probably worth paying the money for that sort of convenience. I know there were times when I would have gladly paid over 25 pounds just to see the doc.

Anyway, hopefully I'm not dying after all, and I have a months worth of pills, so that gives me a month to get Medicare sorted out.

Thanks for your help,

S

Originally Posted by Wendy

I'm glad you got it sorted out. Now stay off the alcohol :D

Originally Posted by Swerv-o

Yes mum ;)

Originally Posted by Wendy

I'm glad it's you that can't drink and not me ;) :D

Originally Posted by Swerv-o

possibly combined with excessive alcohol consumption...

Is this the point where you sit there with your fingers in your ears going la la la la la I can't hear you :p ?
Nicky :D

Originally Posted by Swerv-o

She only said cut down, not rule out. How about if I only drink at the weekends? :)

S