Could some kind soul please link me to a thread on what's covered, what's extra, where to insure etc. I've done a search but didn't get much.

TIA

"Medibank" is one of the many private health insurance companies. Whether you want to take out private health insurance cover and whether you want Medibank or one of the many others is up to you. What's covered under the policy will depend on what kind of policy you take out. Have a look at www.medibank.com.au and then review their different policies.

You don't have to have private health cover. As long as you come with a perm residency visa, you'll be covered by Medicare, which is the Australian version of the NHS. Their website is www.medicare.gov.au

In a nutshell: Medicare covers hospital treatment, doctor's visits (if doctor bulk-bills), subscriptions (partly), eye tests (if bulk-billed). Medicare does not cover dental treatment. This is the nutshell version; for more details have a read on the Medicare website.

Thanks, and to ABC.

So do most people bother with private medical insurance or not?

I do but the budget today is making me consider dropping out.

I'm not PR yet (and haven't read up on the budget yet ) but don't you pay more Medicare if you don't have private cover? Have to weigh that one up.

Fo3 we're with Medibank, and for obvious reasons - obvious to those that know my history - I have top cover. I pay a premium for being on a Temp Visa (costs me $295 a month for me alone) but honestly what a rip-off. I'm sure I'd get my money's worth if I had another accident or operation but on a day-to-day basis I don't get much back considering what I spend.

edit: just in case you're not clear on this, Medibank is just an insurance company (although I THINK a govt run one?) and others are available

We dropped out a few weeks ago!

Yes, what was the break-even point for you?

I joined in 1986, and dropped out in 1987

It depends on your income...

2009 Budget Medicare Levy Changes:

The Medicare levy surcharge will increase for singles earning above $90,000 and couples above $180,000

• Singles without Insurance who earn between $75,000 and $90,000 will pay the same 1% Medical Levy Surcharge.
  
• Singles without Insurance who earn between $90,000 and $120,000 will pay an increased 1.25% Medical Levy Surcharge.
  
• Singles without Insurance who earn over $120,000 will pay an increased 1.50% Medical Levy Surcharge.

That surcharge is on top of the normal 1.5% Medicare Levy paid by all taxpayers.

Thanks, everyone.

Here in Singapore there is no free medical care for anything so we have to have to have private insurance which costs us GBP2300 per year (2 adults, 1 child) but who wouldn't pay out on my last surgery anyway so it cost me >$20,000.

So medicare will cover emergencies, cancer, heart attacks etc - i.e. critical stuff. What about elective stuff e.g. hernia repair like I've just had. Will they do it but you wait like the NHS? Does private just get you a choice of dates and a private room? (I had a quick look at the scheduled rates last night and either the docs charge more than the scheduled rates or the doctors in Singapore are coining it in!)

Top private cover is about 60% of what we're paying now, but I'm wondering whether we need so much. Can you insure for medicare "gaps" plus ambulance, dental etc?

Most doctors charge more than the scheduled rates, unless they Bulk Bill.

In 2008, 79.0% of all GP attendances were bulk billed.

The Schedule Fee for a 30 minute appointment is $63.75. I would expect a non bulk billing doctor to charge more like $150 for that, meaning the patient would pay $86.25 net. (You can tell which doctor bulk bills by looking in the doctors car parking spot)

Specialists rarely bulk bill.... and charge like wounded bulls.

Yes, they do, and waiting lists can vary even between hospitals.

I like this. Are you saying that doctors who bulk bill earn less?
This is even funnier.

I found a list of GPs and there a few near we'll be who bulk bill.

Does it tend to be hard to get on the lists of those GPs?

Depends where you live. I had no problem being accepted at our nearest bulk-billing surgery. But maybe if you live in an area with very high population, they may not take you.