Medicare in Australia

The healthcare system in Australia provides care to all citizens

© Kathy Quan

Aug 24, 2006

Australia's healthcare system is primarily a public one although there is a private factor. All Australians are covered un the Medicare system which is funded through general tax revenues.

Under Australia's public system, a patient's hospital bills are covered 100%. His outpatient doctor visits are also reimbured at about 85% based on a government set fee schedule.

Choose Your Own Doctor

Patients can elect to see physicians who charge higher fees and pay out-of-pocket for the care. Then the patient can submit the bill to Medicare and be reimbursed for the amount Medicare would have paid the physician based on the set fee schedule.

Private insurance is also available from the Australian government, not through their employer, and is subsidized by the government.

Pharmaceuticals are covered under Australia's Medicare plan with copays. Those on pensions pay a smaller copay than the working citizens and there is a maximum out-of-pocket safty net. Most medications are covered under the plan with some exceptions such as Viagra.

Current Concerns

Australia faces many concerns with their healthcare system including a shortage of nurses, recent collapse of some of the malpractice insurance companies, and issues regarding the adequacy of equipment.

For more informtion see Medicare Australia.

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