Medicare Safety Net
Jul 14th 2010, 8:31 am
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 554
Medicare Safety Net
I don't really understand what this is. I think that we registered for it when we joined medicare, but don't really know what it means.
I have looked at their website but it is quite confusing. What does it all mean, we are a couple and I am pregnant, which is why I am looking into it.
Thanks!
I have looked at their website but it is quite confusing. What does it all mean, we are a couple and I am pregnant, which is why I am looking into it.
Thanks!
Jul 14th 2010, 8:38 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Medicare Safety Net
The basic benefit is that once you reach the threshold, any further qualifying medical expenses are reduced by Medicare covering 80% of the extra payments you need to make.
eg:
Before you reach the Threshold, the cost may be:
Doctors fee of $50 less the $32.30 standard Medicare rebate = $17.70 your NET Cost.
After you reach the Threshold, the cost may be:
Doctors fee of $50 less the $32.30 standard Medicare rebate = $17.70, less another 80% of that cost ($17.70 - $14.16) = $3.54 your NET cost
These figures will be slightly different for the current year.
eg:
Before you reach the Threshold, the cost may be:
Doctors fee of $50 less the $32.30 standard Medicare rebate = $17.70 your NET Cost.
After you reach the Threshold, the cost may be:
Doctors fee of $50 less the $32.30 standard Medicare rebate = $17.70, less another 80% of that cost ($17.70 - $14.16) = $3.54 your NET cost
These figures will be slightly different for the current year.
Jul 14th 2010, 2:15 pm
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,039
Re: Medicare Safety Net
Make sure your whole family is registered together. It used to be that being on the same Medicare card was not enough...you had to go their website and link family members together so all family expenses counted towards tts same threshold.
Note that Medicare then works out when you cross the threshold and increases your rebate automatically.
Note that Medicare then works out when you cross the threshold and increases your rebate automatically.
Jul 14th 2010, 4:58 pm
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 144
Re: Medicare Safety Net
Hi Daydreamer
I am also pregnant and will be moving to Oz next month.
Just to complicate things even more Medicare have a cap on the rebates they will pay on certain items even if you are over the threshhold. For example obstetricians charge a pregnancy management fee at about 20 weeks of about 2-3k (and some charge another big sum at 30 weeks) Medicare will only rebate about 450 dollars (15%) even if you are over the threshhold. This is only relevant if you are going private. If you go public then it sounds like costs are minimal. PM me if you want more details. Where are you having your bub and when are you due?
Good luck
Lynette
I am also pregnant and will be moving to Oz next month.
Just to complicate things even more Medicare have a cap on the rebates they will pay on certain items even if you are over the threshhold. For example obstetricians charge a pregnancy management fee at about 20 weeks of about 2-3k (and some charge another big sum at 30 weeks) Medicare will only rebate about 450 dollars (15%) even if you are over the threshhold. This is only relevant if you are going private. If you go public then it sounds like costs are minimal. PM me if you want more details. Where are you having your bub and when are you due?
Good luck
Lynette
