Medicare is the basis of Australia's health care system and covers many health care costs. You can choose whether to have Medicare cover only, or a combination of Medicare and private health insurance. Citizens and most permanent Australian residents are eligible for Medicare.
Medicare provides access to medical and hospital services for all Australian residents and certain categories of visitors to Australia. We administer Medicare, including the payment of Medicare benefits on behalf of the Department of Health, which is responsible for developing Medicare policy.
Medicare covers:
- free or subsidised treatment by health professionals such as doctors, specialists, optometrists and in specific circumstances dentists and other allied health practitioners
- free treatment and accommodation as a public Medicare patient in a public hospital, and
- 75% of the Medicare Schedule fee for services and procedures if you are a private patient in a public or private hospital. This does not include hospital accommodation and items such as theatre fees and medicines
The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) lists services that are subsidised by the Australian Government under Medicare.
Medicare is avaliable 24 hours 7 days. If you need to talk to someone simply call 132 011
For further information visit our website http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/dhs/medicare