worzel

Is this right?:

-Nobody has to buy private healthcare insurance

-If you don't buy it you still get treated at hospital as an equal but you have to pay for the ambulance ride. (anything else medicare doesn't cover?)

-Everyone pays 1.5% of their taxable income as Medicare Levy (much like UK National Insurance but less)

-If you earn over $100,000 pa (I wish) and you don't have private healthcare insurance you have to pay an extra 1% Medicare Levy Supplement

Anything else significant I should know? Did I read something recently about a 6 month window?

At present we are thinking of getting ambo cover and nothing else. Does anyone think this is either unnecessary or alternatively insufficient?

Buzzy--Bee

I believe that if you are NOT entitled to Medicare eg if you are certain types of Temporary Resident then you can get a certificate stating this and then you don't have to pay the 1.5%.

In Queensland I think the ambulance fee is part of the electricity bill! (Any QLD residents please correct me if I'm wrong!)

Cheers

Buzzy

Wol

Yes, there IS something significant you should know!

If you are over 30 when starting a private scheme, you pay a loading of I believe 2% per year over 30 at start. If you are fifty or so it's very significant!

The "Window" is a recent concession: if you sign up within the window - and I can't remember the time scale offhand - you are treated as if you are 30 so don't pay a loading - ever.

All the companies have to abide by the same rules, so if you want to change to another after a year or two you keep the same assumed entry date: it does make the system more competitive since, unlike the Uk, you don't have to start again from scratch.

Hope this helps.

ABCDiamond

In general correct, except for certain visa holders I think.

Private Patients get to choose Doctors, and can get treatment for some conditions that others can't, however emergency teatment is often similar, but no private rooms.
Correct

If a Single person earns over $50,000 pa, they pay the extra. Families it only applies over $100k combined income.

That's what we do.


In QLD the Ambulance cover is taken care of via the Electric Bill

Linda Lushardi

We do the same as you ABC. Even if i want healh insurance i couldnt get it as my ongoing medical condition means no one will insure me. But saying that, i have had superb service on medicare, far better than i ever got from the NHS. I'm very happy with it.

ABCDiamond

I actually used to have Health Insurance, but found it was cheaper to say I didn't have it, so I didn't have to pay anything.

I was at the time But cancelled my cover when I worked it out. That may not suit everyone though.

Regarding quality of medical service, I think the consensus is that you can get Very Good service in Australia, and Poor service in Australia, depending on many factors; and compared to the UK, where you can get Very Good service, and Poor service, depending on many factors.

Jonahs_mummy

Medicare hardly covers dental work at all or anesthetics.

MrsMangle

I actually had this refunded to me when I did my tax return...not sure if it was because I earnt shite in my first year in Oz or because I didn't make a claim....does anyone know, if you're only likely to get one or two prescriptions a year anyway, are you better off not to claim back money from medicare

jad n rich

Waiting lists !!!!

From working in a medical centre just a couple of examples.

Cataracts, several years wait on medicare, most specialists will be blunt enough (as they often are) to tell you you'll go blind before you get it done free, so about $7000 for both eyes. Sun damages eyes the waiting lists are very long.

Cancer was the main area people would take loans, sell houses, do anything to jump into immediate private treatment, any waiting time in this area can be life or death. Medicare does not have unlimited places, beds, funds, machines, doctors etc at times waiting lists can be very long.

If you have private insurance and a few kids, you will probably find what you claim back on dental and glasses, will be a fair chunk of the premium recovered each year anyway.

jad n rich

Medicare does not cover prescriptions or glasses or dental, unless you have major dental anesthetist part may be partially covered.

That goes for adults and kids.

GinaUK

Just another question to add to this:

Here in the UK many jobs include private healthcare in the salary package. Is it the same in Oz?

Gina

ABCDiamond

It's because of low income, not because of no claims

The low income Medicare levy threshold is Taxable income of $15,902 = Zero payable.
If you earn between $15,902 and $17,191 (inclusive) You pay 20% of the difference between your taxable income and $15,902 (or maximum of 1.5% of income)

If your income is over $17,191 you pay 1.5% of your total taxable income.

ABCDiamond

Some do, some don't, it will vary a lot with employers.

worzel

That is 2% of premiums rather than 2% of salary I assume?

worzel

I think I knew that.

But it costs in the UK for dental so I ignored it as a non-difference.

Did I read that you are only covered for anaesthetics to a certain value?