Monday, June 3, 2013

Navigating the Health System

we are pretty lucky in Australia. We have had a universal health care system called  Medicare since 1974. Everyone pays a levy1.5% of their salaries.  But  over the years Medicare has been eroded and there is an expectation people have private health insurance as well.

this gets complicated. My surgeon practices in a Public Hospital but in order not to wait forever I am going in as a Private patient.

Medicare will pay 75% and my health fund 25% but that is of the 'scheduled fee'. The gap fee is 3 x the scheduled fee and I must pay this out of pocket. Similarly the Assistant Surgeon and Anaethesist. I am still trying to work out cost of prostheses and hospital stay.

i have never had an operation in my life so i feel im entering a new planet.

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