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Healthcare System News / Australia Expat Health Insurance |
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General health and the systems for medical services in Australia are high, and on par with any of the other developed nations in the world. The Australian healthcare system is a combination of medical services provided by both private and public institutions. The primary system is run by the federal government, although certain aspects of the system are under the direction of the individual states. These include the management and operation of hospitals. The present system in place in the country is known as Medicare, and the system is universal for all Australians, covering the total costs for all treatments as well as providing reimbursements for doctors’ visits. The country spends roughly 8.5% of its GDP on healthcare, and this is on par with other developed nations in the world including England (7%), Canada (9.5%), and the United States. The Medicare program is funded partially by way of an income tax levy, but is mostly funded through general revenue. Along with Medicare, there also exists a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme that subsidizes medical prescriptions. The scheme covers most medical prescriptions with few exceptions including Viagra. The breakdown of financing for healthcare in Australia is roughly one third private and two thirds government spending.
The private health insurance system is financed through a number of private health insurance bodies. The largest of these organizations is the government owned Medibank Private, which still functions under the same regulatory stipulations as all other private health funds. There was recent political controversy as to whether this institution would be privatized with the possible re-election of the Liberal-National Coalition government led by John W. Howard in 2007. The party was defeated by the Australian Labor Party led by Kevin Rudd, and Medibank private remained under government control. Private health insurance continues to receive a 30% subsidy from the federal government, of which all users are eligible. 45% of Australians have private health insurance, with the annual cost of this coverage amounting to anywhere from Australian $1000 to $2000. These policies are almost always obtained directly through an insurance company, and not through employers. This practice ultimately allows for individuals and families to not be dependent on employment for maintaining health and medical coverage, and is a better and more efficient system than the private systems in other developed countries like the United States. All in all both the public health systems and the private organizations that are subsidized by the government provide first rate medical service to the Australian people.
While Australians enjoy great medical care in general, there are a range of health issues that the medical community is dealing with. One of these said issues is indigenous health. Statistics show that aborigine populations suffer from a much lower quality of health than the rest of Australian communities. One of the figures, the infant mortality rate, is close two times higher than the typical non-indigenous child mortality rate. Finally the average life expectancy for indigenous populations is 17 years lower than the general population. The government has taken steps to try to address this issue, and the obvious difference in medical service that is readily available for these aborigine populations. Another issue is the danger of preventable diseases. Cigarette smoking is the largest preventable cause of death and disease in the country. Initiative and public awareness campaigns are trying to express the dangers of smoking to the Australian public. Another serious preventable issue is poor nutrition and eating habits, with Australia having one of the highest ratios of overweight people to healthy weight people in the developed world. Initiatives to raise awareness about good nutrition and exercise have also been implemented. Other issues include poor service in state run hospitals, shortages of medical staff in rural areas, and chronic diseases such as rheumatic heart disease, strokes, skin cancer, mental health and aged care services. The Australian healthcare system hopes to solve these and many other issues throughout the 21st century.
While the Australian government has certain reciprocal medical care agreements with some countries which allow for foreign visitors to receive subsidized health care for conditions that need immediate medical attention, most countries do not fall under this umbrella. The medical facilities in Australia are of a high standard and are well equipped to provide any services you may need, yet it will be probable that you will be left with a large medical bill should you require treatment. For this reason alone it is recommended that you obtain a comprehensive Australia expat health insurance and travel insurance policy on your visit to Australia. With this coverage you can be sure that any unforeseen medical expenses due to injury or illness will be taken care of, allowing you and your family to focus on your visit and all of the wonderful sights and sounds that the nation of Australia has to offer.
For more information about Australia expat health insurance, international medical insurance that we can provide, or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our expert advisers today. |
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