Australian Public and Private Health Care System: nib Health Insurance Explained
www.nib.com.au nib Private Health Insurance Explained Australian Public and Private Health Care System. In Australia, were looked after by a health care system that has two parts: a Public system and Private system. Public Health Care System The Public system, run by the government through Medicare, is paid for by our taxes. It covers things like: • seeing a doctor or specialist • getting medical tests like x-rays or blood tests • taking prescription medicines • being treated in a public hospital There are a couple of things to remember about public health care and Medicare. 1. You wont pay anything to go to a public hospital, but you might not get to choose which hospital, or which doctors treat you. Also, you might have to go on the Public Hospital Waiting List and wait a while for your treatment although if its an emergency youll be treated straight away. 2. Medicare doesnt usually cover the full cost of doctors visits, tests and prescription medicines, so you might have to pay some money towards the cost of these things. Private Health Care System The private, or non-government part of the healthcare system, is made up of private hospitals, private health insurance companies and other health providers like dentists. Medicare doesnt pay for these. The private heath care system includes things like: • treatment in a private hospital • ambulance trips • dentistry • eyeglasses and • treatments like physio and acupuncture If you get sick and want or need things like these <b>...</b>
