Medicare - Registration Problems
Oct 10th 2006, 6:07 pm
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Eldorado (near Wangaratta) 'country Victoria'
Posts: 1,451
Re: Medicare - Registration Problems
[QUOTE=Swerv-o]
Oh no, she was the most stunning Doctor I had ever met - it was hard not to hang on her every word, drooling like an imbecile...
S
I have only ever seen stunningly gorgeous doctors when in embarrassing positions. Why is it that the gynaecologists that you see when hugely pregnant and flat on your back in a hospital are gorgeous 
Life can be so cruel 
Nicky
Originally Posted by NickyP
Oh no, she was the most stunning Doctor I had ever met - it was hard not to hang on her every word, drooling like an imbecile...
S
Life can be so cruel Nicky
Oct 10th 2006, 6:08 pm
#17
has lost The Game
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Chippendale, Sydney
Posts: 8,735
Re: Medicare - Registration Problems
Originally Posted by Wendy
Go for it 
Oh, hold on...
I'll end up on the front page of the daily mail...
S
Oct 10th 2006, 6:10 pm
#18
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: at the bottom of a wine glass
Posts: 28,176
Re: Medicare - Registration Problems
Originally Posted by Swerv-o
Hmm. I have a plan. How about if I don't touch alcohol all week, then drink furiously at the weekend to make up for it...
It works for me
Oct 10th 2006, 6:10 pm
#19
has lost The Game
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Chippendale, Sydney
Posts: 8,735
Re: Medicare - Registration Problems
[QUOTE=NickyP]
I agree. The Dr that did my meds was gorgeous too. It all got a bit hairy when it came to the hold and cough part... :scared:
S
Originally Posted by Swerv-o
I have only ever seen stunningly gorgeous doctors when in embarrassing positions. Why is it that the gynaecologists that you see when hugely pregnant and flat on your back in a hospital are gorgeous Life can be so cruel
Nicky
Life can be so cruel Nicky
S
Oct 10th 2006, 6:11 pm
#20
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Eldorado (near Wangaratta) 'country Victoria'
Posts: 1,451
Re: Medicare - Registration Problems
[QUOTE=Swerv-o]
I agree. The Dr that did my meds was gorgeous too. It all got a bit hairy when it came to the hold and cough part... :scared:
S
PMSL
Nicky
Originally Posted by NickyP
I agree. The Dr that did my meds was gorgeous too. It all got a bit hairy when it came to the hold and cough part... :scared:
S
Nicky
Oct 10th 2006, 10:55 pm
#21
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 78
Re: Medicare - Registration Problems
I registered with Medicare yesterday and it took 15 minutes. I took in my passport, employment contract and a letter from our removal company that proved we are shipping all of our possessions over. Apparently they need to see evidence that you are serious about permanently settling in Australia.
Remember that this country is obsessed with ID. I had an absolute nightmare here just buying a car because I had to produce loads of ID.
mjj
Remember that this country is obsessed with ID. I had an absolute nightmare here just buying a car because I had to produce loads of ID.
mjj
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
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
Oct 10th 2006, 11:16 pm
#22
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,859
Re: Medicare - Registration Problems
Originally Posted by mjj
I registered with Medicare yesterday and it took 15 minutes. I took in my passport, employment contract and a letter from our removal company that proved we are shipping all of our possessions over. Apparently they need to see evidence that you are serious about permanently settling in Australia.
Remember that this country is obsessed with ID. I had an absolute nightmare here just buying a car because I had to produce loads of ID.
mjj
Remember that this country is obsessed with ID. I had an absolute nightmare here just buying a car because I had to produce loads of ID.
mjj
Oct 10th 2006, 11:45 pm
#23
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: Medicare - Registration Problems
Originally Posted by Pollyana
As Jeremy said earlier, all they really need is the passport and visa. If they insist on anything else you have a right to ask to speak to the supervisor. the only time there is likely to be a problem is within the first week after you land, because it takes a few days for the DIMA computer (which knows you have arrived) to link up with the Medicare one.
Oct 11th 2006, 12:12 am
#24
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,859
Re: Medicare - Registration Problems
Originally Posted by JAJ
If you are an Australian citizen returning from overseas, or a newly arrived New Zealander, then they normally do need to see proof you're living in Australia - not just visiting.
Oct 11th 2006, 10:46 am
#25
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Western burbs, Melbourne
Posts: 2,260
Re: Medicare - Registration Problems
when we first registered, we just showed our passports.
When we got our PR visas, a woman told me I had to complete a long form and provide various bits of paper.
I ended up going to another office, they checked PR visa, and took my temp Medicare card....deed was done.
It seems there is little consistency between offices. Ones in city centre are most used to new migrant arrivals.
When we got our PR visas, a woman told me I had to complete a long form and provide various bits of paper.
I ended up going to another office, they checked PR visa, and took my temp Medicare card....deed was done.
It seems there is little consistency between offices. Ones in city centre are most used to new migrant arrivals.
Oct 11th 2006, 3:00 pm
#26
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Kingston, Tas
Posts: 2,265
Re: Medicare - Registration Problems
Originally Posted by Swerv-o
Hmm. I have a plan. How about if I don't touch alcohol all week, then drink furiously at the weekend to make up for it.
S
S
your proposed plan works for us !
Oct 11th 2006, 4:26 pm
#27
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: Medicare - Registration Problems
Our medicare card was a bit tricky because hubby decided it was going in his name - him being the "man of the house" and the Aussie citizen. Unfortunately for him they wouldn't do it because he couldn't prove where he lived and that he would be here permanently and they didn't have him on their computer. After the guy behind the desk trying all manner of permutations, I suggested it went in my name as I have a visa - done in five minutes
Oct 11th 2006, 4:53 pm
#28
Mozzie magnet
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Brisbane 'burbs
Posts: 1,690
Re: Medicare - Registration Problems
We had problems getting a full medicare card when we applied for PR while being in Australia on a 457. I went in with printouts from Medicare's own website that said we were entitled to it etc but the person at the office - smack back in Sydney's CBD - refused to help us. We insisted on seeing a manager, who wouldn't see us but admitted we may be correct and they then agreed to send our details off to the head office who would make a decision about it.
Luck of the draw with Medicare offices...
Luck of the draw with Medicare offices...
Oct 11th 2006, 5:00 pm
#29
has lost The Game
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Chippendale, Sydney
Posts: 8,735
Re: Medicare - Registration Problems
Originally Posted by chels
We had problems getting a full medicare card when we applied for PR while being in Australia on a 457. I went in with printouts from Medicare's own website that said we were entitled to it etc but the person at the office - smack back in Sydney's CBD - refused to help us. We insisted on seeing a manager, who wouldn't see us but admitted we may be correct and they then agreed to send our details off to the head office who would make a decision about it.
Luck of the draw with Medicare offices...
Luck of the draw with Medicare offices...
Well, I've been to see the quack now, and I have a months worth of pills. They sorted me out using the reciprocal agreement, so I only paid the Medicare price, not the full price.
And it's just as well that I have a months worth, as the bank said that I would receive the statement with my address on in TEN working days time!
Sense of urgency? Hmm...
S
Oct 11th 2006, 5:13 pm
#30
Mozzie magnet
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Brisbane 'burbs
Posts: 1,690
Re: Medicare - Registration Problems
Originally Posted by Swerv-o
What a lottery.
Well, I've been to see the quack now, and I have a months worth of pills. They sorted me out using the reciprocal agreement, so I only paid the Medicare price, not the full price.
And it's just as well that I have a months worth, as the bank said that I would receive the statement with my address on in TEN working days time!
Sense of urgency? Hmm...
S
Well, I've been to see the quack now, and I have a months worth of pills. They sorted me out using the reciprocal agreement, so I only paid the Medicare price, not the full price.
And it's just as well that I have a months worth, as the bank said that I would receive the statement with my address on in TEN working days time!
Sense of urgency? Hmm...
S
