3.2.6

Question 1

Medicare

Answer 1

Is Australia’s universal health insurance scheme, managed by the federal government.

It provides all Australians, permanent residents and people from countries with a reciprocal agreement, with access to adequate healthcare at a subsidised cost.

Question 2

How is medicare funded?

Answer 2

1. The Medicare 2% levy (tax)
   - an amount of money paid by most taxpayers, based on taxable income.
2. The Medicare levy surcharge (an extra 1-1.5% tax)
   - an extra amount paid by those without private health insurance; depending on their income.
3. General taxation also funds the healthcare system.

Question 3

medicare strengths

Answer 3

1. Medicare is available to all Australian citizens
2. Medicare covers most/all of the schedule fee cost for covered health services such as doctors/GPs’ consultations.

Question 4

medicare weaknesses

Answer 4

1. can be long waiting lists in public hospitals
2. does not cover all health services such as physiotherapy and most dental services.

Question 5

What does medicare cover

Answer 5

doctor/gp consultations, eye tests with optomitrists, test and examinations to diagnose illness such as x-rays and blood tests.

Question 6

What doesn’t medicare cover

Answer 6

ambulance, glasses, medications, dental services, physiotherapy.

Question 7

Medicare safety net

Answer 7

Is an additional rebate scheme for patients who have paid a high amount in out of pocket amounts for out-of-hospital costs eg specialist /GP visits in a calendar year.

Question 8

Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS)

Answer 8

Is the Federal Government initiative to subsidise the cost of a wide range of prescription medications. It provides Australians with vital medications at more affordable prices.

Question 9

PBS safety net

Answer 9

Provides further subsidised prices once individuals/families have spent a certain amount for PBS medications in a calendar year.

Question 10

PBS strengths

Answer 10

1. Subsidises the price of a wide range of essential prescription medications, giving more access to more affordable medications.
2. They have a safety net, relieving financial stress for those who spend more than others.

Question 11

PBS weaknesses

Answer 11

1. PBS does not cover all prescription medications
2. for most Australians there is still a gap payment which can contribute to financial strain.

Question 12

Private health insurance

Answer 12

Is an additional health insurance policy individuals and families can choose to purchase / take out to help cover the cost of health services NOT covered by Medicare.

-People can ‘take out’ (purchase):
-hospital cover
-ancillary (“extras”) cover
or both

Question 13

PHI incentive: Age-based discount

Answer 13

Private health insurance companies have the option of offering young people aged q8-29 a discount of up to 10% for private hospital cover.

Question 14

PHI incentive: Medicare levy surcharge

Answer 14

The Medicare levy surcharge (an extra 1-1.5% tax)
- an extra amount paid by those without private health insurance, depending on their income (means tested). encourages high income earners to take out PHI

Question 15

PHI strengths

Answer 15

1. reduces the cost of extras such as dental services.
2. covers the cost of treatment in a private hospital.

Question 16

PHI weaknesses

Answer 16

1. person has to pay for the PHI premium which can be costly
2. may still have a gap payment as the pHI may not cover the full cost of service/treatment

Question 17

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Answer 17

Is a national insurance scheme providing services and support for people with permanent, significant disabilities, and their families and carers, working to assist them in living an ordinary life.

Question 18

eligbility of NDIS

Answer 18

Permanent, significant, lifelong disabilities which prevent living an ordinary life. Must be aged under 65 years old.

Question 19

Access Mainstream services and support

Answer 19

services available through healthcare and education systems.

Question 20

Access community services and supports

Answer 20

access to services and activites in the community such as sports clubs, community groups, libraries or charties

Question 21

maintain informal support arrangements

Answer 21

help from families and support networks such as friends.

Question 22

recieve reasonable and necessary funded supports

Answer 22

involves the NDIS paying for supports that are reasonable and necessary so they can live an ordinary life and achieve their goals.
fund assistive technology such as mobility cane or wheelchairs and funding for a carer for assistance in daily tasks.