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Type 1 Diabetes
Coming to live in Aus, need some help with health insurance
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<blockquote data-quote="EllieM" data-source="post: 1788536" data-attributes="member: 372717"><p>I lived in Australia from 1999 to 2017, and didn't get PR till 2003. I was covered by medicare from the start though, which made a big difference. Though I did have private medical cover (for tax reasons), it never helped me with any of my diabetic needs, though I believe it would have covered the cost of a pump but not the consumables if I'd chosen to have one (note you have to wait a year before existing conditions are covered).</p><p></p><p>So, double check whether your visa means you're covered by medicare. If you are, then you may or may not pay a small fee every time you see the doctor (eg $20, but some doctors "bulk bill" and see you for free, tends to depend on your location). You have to pay a fixed fee for prescriptions, but it's not much compared to the actual cost of insulin. If you see a specialist then part of his fee will be covered by medicare, but only part. If you pay more than a cetain amount per year then medicare will start covering all your fees, but I never got there.</p><p></p><p>Dentists are mouth wateringly expensive, BTW.</p><p></p><p>I only got private health insurance AFTER I became a PR, and only bothered for tax reasons. It won't save you money for care, though if you're planning a pregnancy and want a fancy private room it might be the way to go. (Nothing wrong with the public system, IMHO.)</p><p></p><p>So, double check you're covered by medicare. If you are, there won't be any massive individual fees (possibly if you have to buy a new pump?). The reciprocal health agreement means that emergency trips to hospital are free, BUT get ambulance cover because that isn't free (though maybe in some states?)</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="EllieM, post: 1788536, member: 372717"] I lived in Australia from 1999 to 2017, and didn't get PR till 2003. I was covered by medicare from the start though, which made a big difference. Though I did have private medical cover (for tax reasons), it never helped me with any of my diabetic needs, though I believe it would have covered the cost of a pump but not the consumables if I'd chosen to have one (note you have to wait a year before existing conditions are covered). So, double check whether your visa means you're covered by medicare. If you are, then you may or may not pay a small fee every time you see the doctor (eg $20, but some doctors "bulk bill" and see you for free, tends to depend on your location). You have to pay a fixed fee for prescriptions, but it's not much compared to the actual cost of insulin. If you see a specialist then part of his fee will be covered by medicare, but only part. If you pay more than a cetain amount per year then medicare will start covering all your fees, but I never got there. Dentists are mouth wateringly expensive, BTW. I only got private health insurance AFTER I became a PR, and only bothered for tax reasons. It won't save you money for care, though if you're planning a pregnancy and want a fancy private room it might be the way to go. (Nothing wrong with the public system, IMHO.) So, double check you're covered by medicare. If you are, there won't be any massive individual fees (possibly if you have to buy a new pump?). The reciprocal health agreement means that emergency trips to hospital are free, BUT get ambulance cover because that isn't free (though maybe in some states?) [/QUOTE]
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