Paying for health services
Australian health services such as doctors, specialists and hospitals can be expensive. While you have to pay the medical fees you incur, you might not always have to pay the full fee. Public health cover through Medicare is available to everyone - this can cover part or all of the cost of some services.
Private health insurance offers coverage for extra services and benefits.
Medicare and bulk-billing
Medicare (new window) is Australia's public health system and you need a Medicare card to use it. You will be included on your parent's card and can apply to Medicare for your own card when you are fifteen.
Visiting a doctor or using a public hospital as an 'out-patient' are the two main services covered through Medicare.
Medicare sets an agreed rate (or 'schedule fee') for a service, and you pay the difference between that rate and whatever your health-care provider charges. Some health professions or services charge only the schedule fee. This is called 'bulk-billing'. If you use a service that is bulk-billed, it's completely covered by Medicare and you don't have to pay anything.
Some health providers charge more than the schedule fee, so you usually have to pay the full fee and then apply to Medicare for a refund of the part of that is covered. To get your refund, drop into a Medicare office, or complete and post the refund application form. Get a receipt from your health care provider as you'll need it to prove you paid for the service.
It's important to remember that not all health services are covered by Medicare. Ask your health service provider if you're not sure.
Private health insurance
Private health insurance covers visits to the doctor, hospital stays and it can also cover specialised services such as dentistry, physiotherapy or psychology. It can be especially useful if you have a serious illness or injury, or are having a baby.
The cost and coverage of your private health insurance varies. You may only need basic hospital cover, or you may want 'extras' such as dental treatment and physiotherapy. Check out different insurers to compare packages and costs on iSelect (new window).
Advantages of private health insurance
- Choice of where you receive healthcare
- Choice of doctors or specialists to treat you
- Reimbursement for some medical costs not covered by Medicare
- Less time to wait for treatment or elective surgery
- Government rebate of 30 percent
- You may be covered under your family's private health insurance until you're 18
Disadvantages of private health insurance
- It can be an expensive ongoing financial commitment
- You might not need to use all the health services on offer
- You may still have to pay for a 'gap' or excess for seeing a specialist or staying in hospital
Other types of health cover
Medicare doesn't cover the cost of using an ambulance although some private health insurance schemes do. You can take out separate ambulance cover (new window) in the event of an emergency dash to hospital.
Two Victorian Government schemes can help you out if you are injured on the road or at work. The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) (new window) pays for treatment and benefits for people injured in transport accidents. If you are injured at work, you should be covered through WorkCover (new window).
If you're an active kind of person, you might want to look into personal accident (sports injury) insurance through your sporting associations. This can cover you for injuries received during practice, games and related travel, and may include ambulance cover.
If you enjoy cycling, you can join Bicycle Victoria (new window) for a small annual fee and get the benefit of many services including bike crash insurance that covers you if you injure yourself while riding your bike.
If you are an overseas student (new window), you must have private health insurance while you are studying in Australia.
Links for public and private health systems
Medicare
Facts and information about Medicare
Health Insurers Association (AHIA)
Lists a range of private health insurers and gives links to each of their websites.
Metropolitan Ambulance Service
Find out about ambulance services and and how much it costs to buy ambulance cover.
Private Health Insurance Administration Council (PHIAC)
See the booklet, 'Insure? Not Sure? Your quick guide to private health insurance'. It includes general information, types of cover and questions you should ask your health insurer.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Health Matters
Explains what's involved with different types of insurance and how to keep your premiums low and avoid unexpected costs.
Australian Consumers' Association - Health
Independent research offering advice on private hospital insurance and what to look for in health cover 'extras'. (Some fact sheets on the Choice website are available to members only, for a fee.)
Links to other kinds of health cover
Transport Accident Commission (TAC)
Provides information about the type of benefits TAC provides.
WorkCover
Victorian WorkCover Authority (VWA) provides details about WorkCover and infoormation about workplace safety.
Bicycle Victoria
Find out about Bicycle Victoria's membership benefits, bike crash insurance and joining fees.
Department of Health and Ageing - Cover For People From Overseas
Information about Medicare and health insurance for overseas visitors on temporary visas.
