I've come across the website for Medicare but there is one question I can not find the answer for...

Do you pay for medical services then claim it back from medicare?

Any advice would be appreciated. :)

Sasha

I can tell you a bit but I haven't really got to grips with it yet! Took my daughter to the doctor and claimed it back from the Medicare office, they kept $7.50 if I recall right but I got the rest back.

Some docs 'bulk bill', ie they claim direct from Medicare and you don't have to pay in the first place.

However, docs can charge more than Medicare is going to refund in which case you have to pay the difference.

There is also a family ceiling where if you have paid so much in the year you get all the rest refunded, though haven't got details to hand right now.

Perhaps someone can clarify for me re ambulances? I know lots of people take out private ambulance insurance as if you need one you end up having to pay for it!

If I've muddled things here, perhaps some of you who've been out here a bit longer than me can sort me out!!!

Elaine

Thats about right, reg Ambos, if you have any type of Medical insurance the Ambos are covered.

We use two different Doctors both bulk bill, you ask two, well one is for after hours!! :spin:

Lyn

Do you find it an advantage having the choice of any doctor? Is it easy to get into any surgery or is there a waiting list to join various surgeries in certain areas like over here?

Sasha :)

I would say that there's less Doctors now bulk billing I know the Marion medical center bulk bill but only for kids. Ambulance cover is supplied in most extra's cover, ambulances could end up costing between $400-$1000 so I've been told. We have just took out a extra's cover with Medibank Private that cover dental, optical, physio, ambulance and school accident.

Juls

We use two doctors, one for out of hours ie Sat arvo, Sundays and after 5pm and our normal one during "Buisiness" hours. If our normal one is booked up we use the back up. The back up is a clinic where there is normally about 10 doctors at any one time, so you take pot luck. :loopy:

Is it easy to get appointments. At the moment if I wanted to make an appointment to see my doctor I'm usually told unless I'm on my death bed I can have an appointment a month later - by which time I would be either better or dead! :o

Sasha :)

Dead easy, thats why we use two you see. If our normal one is full and you are pretty crook, then we use the back up.

Steve and Lynsie:cool shake:

As I said above, we've only used the service once. I registered at a doctor and asked for an appointment for my daughter. They didn't ask whether it was urgent but gave us an appointment same day. Also suggested I only register the rest of the family as we need attention! This is in Marion, Flinders Medical Centre.

Elaine