Retired parents migrating to Australia - Health Insurance
#1
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Retired parents migrating to Australia - Health Insurance
Hi
Mum and dad have just arrived on an 804 Visa
Currently on the bridging Visa awaiting approval, could be a long wait i know
They have their Medicare cards, but have now received a letter from medicare discussing Private health Insurance.
If they do not acquire private health insurance within 12 months then their premiums will go up by 70 due to the 2% per year clause
My question is, as they get older will they still be looked after by Medicare if they do not get private health Insurance ?
Its not necessarily something that they can afford
Thanks
Mum and dad have just arrived on an 804 Visa
Currently on the bridging Visa awaiting approval, could be a long wait i know
They have their Medicare cards, but have now received a letter from medicare discussing Private health Insurance.
If they do not acquire private health insurance within 12 months then their premiums will go up by 70 due to the 2% per year clause
My question is, as they get older will they still be looked after by Medicare if they do not get private health Insurance ?
Its not necessarily something that they can afford
Thanks
#2
Re: Retired parents migrating to Australia - Health Insurance
Not necessarily. The reciprocal arrangement doesn’t cover everything, only medically necessary interventions. So if something is elective then they would be expected to pay for it - and what you may consider necessary - like gall stone removal or knee replacement for example. - Medicare may not. They’d definitely be safer with private hospital cover until they do get PR for those little things unless they can self insure but it sounds like they won’t be able to afford that if they can’t afford the private premiums at the lower rate. Definitely worth getting private before their year is up though or the premiums will be horrendous.
#3
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Re: Retired parents migrating to Australia - Health Insurance
Hi
Mum and dad have just arrived on an 804 Visa
Currently on the bridging Visa awaiting approval, could be a long wait i know
They have their Medicare cards, but have now received a letter from medicare discussing Private health Insurance.
If they do not acquire private health insurance within 12 months then their premiums will go up by 70 due to the 2% per year clause
My question is, as they get older will they still be looked after by Medicare if they do not get private health Insurance ?
Its not necessarily something that they can afford
Thanks
Mum and dad have just arrived on an 804 Visa
Currently on the bridging Visa awaiting approval, could be a long wait i know
They have their Medicare cards, but have now received a letter from medicare discussing Private health Insurance.
If they do not acquire private health insurance within 12 months then their premiums will go up by 70 due to the 2% per year clause
My question is, as they get older will they still be looked after by Medicare if they do not get private health Insurance ?
Its not necessarily something that they can afford
Thanks
They arrived on a tourist visa, they are now on a bridging visa (presumably Bridging Visa A), but they are not n the 804 until its granted. The difference is important as the 804 makes them permanent residents - at present they are only temporary residents and aren't permanent until the grant. The difference is crucial when asking about numerous facets of life here, including medical, credit, and welfare benefits.
#4
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Re: Retired parents migrating to Australia - Health Insurance
Hi Polly.
Thanks for the comments. So if they are on Bridging visa A and have a full Medicare card does this differ to the Medicare rights I have as a Perm Resident ?
Thanks for the comments. So if they are on Bridging visa A and have a full Medicare card does this differ to the Medicare rights I have as a Perm Resident ?
#5
Re: Retired parents migrating to Australia - Health Insurance
Yes. As a PR they would be covered completely by Medicare. As a tourist on a bridging visa they are only eligible for reciprocal benefit. See Quoll's post above.