tazziecat

Hi everyone,
Can you get the same repeat prescriptions in Oz from a doctor or chemist that you would currently be getting in the UK. would you need to bring proof from your Gp that you get these regular medications. IE tablets for a hiatus hernia. Please could someone advise.
Thanks, Tazziecat :

Elaine M

Hi Tazziecat,

I got a summary printout from my doctor which stated what medications I was prescribed and why. Cost me 10 pounds to get it but as I've a bit of a history I wanted to make sure my new doctor in Aus was properly informed.

I had no problems getting the equivalent medication here, very straightforward.

Elaine M

Amazulu

On a similar note, does Australia have a similar system to the NHS Prescription Charge Certificate where you pay an annual fee (currently £96 I think) for all your prescriptions for the year?.

ABCDiamond

No, it doesn't, and unfortunately, you can spend a lot more on prescriptions here than in the UK.

But it does have safety net thresholds, so that someone who has loads of prescriptions does not end up paying too much during the year.

The general patient safety net threshold is currently $874.90. (2005 rates). When patients, and/or their families, reach this amount, they can apply for a Safety Net Concession Card and pay only $4.60 per prescription for the rest of the calendar year.

If your total family medical bills exceed $1,500 (including dental and prescriptions), then you can also claim 20% of the excess back via your tax return.

This is one of the problems of everyone only paying 1.5% of wages into the medicare fund. Not enough is available to keep these costs lower.

anya4oz

One thing you will find is that the pharmacies are generally not too keen on issuing more than 1 month's worth of drugs at a time on a repeat prescription. If you say you're 'traveling', they might give you two months' worth, but otherwise you're stuck with visiting the pharmacy every month.

Cheers,
Anya.

madsad

Hi ABC Diamond,

We have reached the saftey net threshold & now instead of paying $48 to see a doctor we pay just over $5 (refunded through medicare).
Should we only be paying $4.60 per perscription now too? or do i have to apply for the safety net concession card first?
Last month although i only paid $5 to see the doctor (not because i was ill,only for a booklet of repeat prescriptions!) i was $98 for 3 prescribed items!
& last week i paid $28 for 1 asthma inhaler.

Thanks for your help

Donna.

ABCDiamond

That's a different safety net You don't expect it to be easy do you

It sounds like you have reached the MedicarePlus Safety Net
Details at: http://www.hic.gov.au/yourhealth/our_services/suhc.htm

Have you also reached the PBS (prescription) Safety net ?
Information from: http://www1.health.gov.au/pbs/contents/explain5.htm

madsad

[QUOTE=ABCDiamond]That's a different safety net You don't expect it to be easy do you

Doh !! i guessed as much!!

Thanks ABC I,ll try to make sense of it later....

Donna.

MrsDagboy

I dont understand this at all, I registered with the Medicare Safety net last year & got a letter from then at the end of last year (about 4 months after I registered!) saying I was *approaching* the threshold & to fill in a form & I would be *processed* (whatever that is!). But Ive not heard anything more from it!

Having a family who are constantly at doctors/specialists etc (Ive been twice in last 5 days & cost me $150 for the 2 visits), I would have thought that I would be eligible? but Ive not heard anything else & it says you only have to register once?

As for the PBS safety net, I think I gave up on that