Australian Healthcare System Flashcards
What is the National Disability Insurance Scheme?
A national insurance scheme that provides services and support for people with permanent (lifelong), significant disabilities, and their families and carers.
How is the NDIS funded?
By the Australian Federal Government through general taxes
What does the NDIS fund?
Through individualised plans the NDIS fund:
- Access to mainstream services e.g. education, healthcare
- Access to community services e.g. libraries, sport clubs
- Maintenance of informal supports e.g. family/friends
- Provide reasonable and necessary funding e.g. to purchase assistive technology, pay carers
What is Medicare?
Australia’s universal health-insurance scheme that subsidises health care.
How is Medicare it funded?
Australian Federal Government through taxes specifically 3 ways:
- Medicare levy - most Australian income earners pay 2% of taxable income - those with low income may be exempt
- Medicare levy surcharge - high income earners without private insurance pay an additional 1% - 1.5% - means tested
- General taxation revenue - as allocated in budget
What does Medicare cover?
- GP consultations
- specialist consultations e.g. cardiologist, oncologist
- treatment as a public patient in a public hospital
- diagnostic tests e.g. x-ray, blood tests
- eye tests by an optometrist
- up to 10 sessions with psychologist with a mental health plan
What does Medicare not cover?
- Allied health services e.g. physio, podiatry, speech pathology
- dental
- hearing aids, glasses
- cosmetic surgery,
- ambulance
What is the PBS?
Federal Government scheme which provides access to essential, prescription medicines at a subsidised cost
How is the PBS it funded?
Federal Government funded through general taxes
What is Private Health Insurance?
A form of insurance in addition to Medicare for which a member pays a premium to the insurance company in return for financial contributions for medical services not covered by Medicare.
How is Private Health Insurance funded?
By individuals who choose to take it out and pay a premium to PHI fund
What does Private Health Insurance cover?
Often taken out to cover areas that Medicare doesn’t so choose which services need higher cover (optional ‘extras’) e.g. dental, optical, physio, obstetrics, podiatry, ambulance
(depending on the level of cover, these services may be completely free (higher level of cover = higher premium $$$$) or reduced fee (lower level of cover = lower premium paid $).
Patients have access to private or public hospitals as a private patient with their own choice of doctor.
What are the 3 Private Health Insurance incentive schemes?
- Private Health Insurance Rebate
- Lifetime Health Cover
- Medicare Levy Surcharge
What is the Medicare Levy Surcharge as a PHI incentive scheme?
An additional charge of 1% - 1.5% is charged to higher income earners who do not have PHI to encourage them to take it out.
What is the Private Health Insurance Rebate PHI incentive scheme?
Under this scheme families and individuals paying for PHI are eligible for up to a 30% rebate on insurance premiums. It is means tested - the amount paid back depends on income i.e. higher income earners receive a lower/no rebate. The Federal Government will pay a percentage of the premiums paid for eligible private health insurance members to encourage them to get and keep their PHI.
