Health insurance in Australia: Covering what Medicare doesn’t
Australia’s healthcare system is regarded as among the world’s most extensive, providing citizens and permanent residents with a full range of services, spanning from general and preventative care to complex medical treatments. Getting access to some of these benefits, however, is not always straightforward, leaving many of us wondering what treatments and services are really covered and which ones we need to pay for.
Insurance Business answers these questions and more in this comprehensive guide to health insurance in Australia. Here, we will discuss how the two main parts of the country’s healthcare system – public and private – work, what each system covers, and the benefits each brings.
If you’re in search for coverage that matches your healthcare needs, this article can help you make an informed decision. Insurance professionals, meanwhile, can share this piece with their clients to assist them in finding the best coverage. Read on as we explain to you the nitty-gritty details of health insurance in Australia.
Australia runs a public health system that is one of the best globally, offering free or affordable healthcare for almost everyone living in Australia. This universal health insurance system, called Medicare, is jointly operated by the federal, state or territory, and local governments.
Despite this, Australians may still need to endure long waiting times, especially for non-life-threatening medical procedures. There are also certain services that Medicare does not cover that you may need to pay for, including:
