About Medicare
On this Page:
Welcome to Medicare - Australia’s universal health care system. Medicare ensures that all Australians have access to free or low-cost medical, optometrical and hospital care while being free to choose private health services and in special circumstances allied health services.
- Eligibility and Enrolment
- Who is eligible?
- How do I enrol?
- What Medicare covers
- What does Medicare cover?
- What’s not covered by Medicare?
- How does Medicare work?
- How do I pay my doctor?
- Can I use Medicare while I’m overseas?
- Providing information security and quality service
- How is my personal information protected?
- What is the Charter of Care?
Your Medicare checklist
- Register your family for the Medicare Safety Net.
- Let Medicare know if you change your address.
- Destroy your old Medicare card if you have received a new one.
- Take your Medicare card with you when you visit your doctor.
- Take your Medicare card with you when you have a prescription filled.
What is Medicare?
Medicare ensures that all Australians have access to free or low-cost medical, optometrical and hospital care while being free to choose private health services and in special circumstances allied health services.
Medicare provides access to:
- free treatment as a public (Medicare) patient in a public hospital
- free or subsidised treatment by practitioners such as doctors, including specialists, participating optometrists or dentists (specified services only)
Australia’s public hospital system is jointly funded by the Australian Government and state and territory governments and is administered by state and territory health departments.
Medicare enrolments and medical benefit payments are administered by Medicare Australia through its network of Medicare offices and other information claiming services.
Your contribution to the health care system is based on your income and is made through taxes and the Medicare levy
.
Last updated: 4 July, 2008