Some might be interested to know that I have spoken with Medicare Eligibility this morning, and am advised that:

- subclass 475 visaholders from the UK are eligible for Medicare under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) between the UK and Australia

- this (in essence) allows for the reimbursement under Medicare of treatment that is "medically necessary" (including attendance at doctors and medicines)

- 475 visaholders can obtain a Medicare card; this is a slightly different colour to the standard Medicare card, and will have the word "Reciprocal" on it

- there is no entitlement to exemption from paying the Medicare Levy on Australian assessable income due to an ability to access Medicare

- it is recommended that private health care is obtained to supplement Medicare

- there is less of a choice of private health care providers for those accessing Medicare under the RHCA: interested persons should feel able to send me a PM or an email so I can provide further details

- once the application for permanent residency has been lodged individuals can obtain full Medicare cover: you do not have to await permanent residency visa grant before accessing full Medicare

Best regards.

A brief mention of a couple of tax issues to add to the consideration of whether or not to take out private health care:

1. The Medicare Levy Surcharge:
http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.asp?doc=/content/7128.htm

2. Lifetime Health Cover initiative:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/C...roviders-general.htm

Best regards.

Alan,

The company I am employed by has agreed to sponsor me under the ENS visa. This has now been lodged and we are having our meds/xrays this week. Are we now elibible for the full medicare cover and how would we access the full medicare benefits?

Hello Dan.

You should take the DIAC acknowledgment of receipt letter in respect of your permanent visa application to your local Medicare office.

Best regards.

Hi,
I would like to get some advise about visa 495 and medicare eligible- for the year 2006. (I am not from commonweath countries.)

I was granted the visa 495 in Nov.'06. I went to renew my medicare(interim card in blue colour)today. I was told that I was not supposed to have medicare cover. I was ask how could I have it. I actually got from Medicare! If it was as what the staff told me, why did I have it at the first state.

Please give advise. or recommend any written source of knowledge regarding to the above issue that I can read?

Thank you very much in advance