Medicare
What is medicare
Australia’s universal health insurance scheme that provides access to subsidised healthcare for all Australians.
What is private health insurance
Private health insurance is a type of medical insurance where members pay a premium in return for health services NOT covered by Medicare.
What does PBS stand for?
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
What does NDIS stand for
National Disability Insurance Scheme
Name two rights patients have when accessing healthcare.
Access, Safety, Respect, Communication, Participation, Privacy, or Comment.
Name two services covered by Medicare.
Doctor consultations, hospital treatment as a public patient, x-rays, pathology tests, eye tests by optometrists.
Name two advantage of private health insurance.
Shorter waiting times, choice of doctor/hospital, access to private rooms.
How does the PBS Safety Net support people who need multiple prescriptions?
Once a family or individual reaches a certain spending threshold on PBS medicines in a year, the cost of future prescriptions is reduced for the rest of that year.
Who is eligible for the NDIS?
Australians under 65 with a permanent and significant disability.
What does the right to privacy mean in healthcare?
Personal and medical information must be kept confidential.
What is not covered by Medicare?
Ambulance services, most dental, physiotherapy, glasses, private hospital stays.
Name two disadvantages of private health insurance.
Costly premiums, sometimes out-of-pocket costs still apply.
What is the main aim of the PBS?
To make essential medicines affordable for all Australians.
What is one type of support the NDIS funds?
Personal care, therapy, equipment, home modifications, community access.
What is one responsibility of a healthcare patient?
To provide accurate information, respect staff, follow medical instructions, and pay fees.
What is the Medicare Levy Surcharge and who pays it?
An extra tax for higher income earners without private health insurance.
What is the difference between private and public hospital
Australia has public and private hospitals. Public hospitals are owned and managed by state and territory governments, with funding also provided by the Australian Government. Private hospitals are owned and managed by private organisations, some of which are non-profit.
WHo manages PBS
The federal Government
What is the main goal of the NDIS?
To help people with disability achieve their goals and live an ordinary life.
Why is the right to communication important?
So patients can understand their care and make informed decisions.
What is the purpose of the Medicare Safety Net?
To protect individuals and families from high medical costs by providing extra rebates once a threshold is reached.
What does extras cover pay for
‘Extras’ usually covers services by allied health professionals. These are healthcare professionals who are not nurses, midwives, doctors, or dentists.
Some of the allied health services ‘extras’ cover may pay for includes:
glasses and contact lenses
dental check-ups, a set of braces or dentures
Podiatry
Chiropractic
massage
Counselling
the cost of non-PBS medication
medical devices such as hearing aids or blood-glucose monitors.
How does the PBS make medicines cheaper?
The government subsidises the cost of medicines.
Name one way the NDIS promotes health and wellbeing.
By improving independence, social participation, and access to support networks.
Give an example of how a patient can exercise the right to participation.
Being involved in decisions about their treatment and care options.