Does medicare = NHS?

Batgurl

Hoping to get some help off any Northern Irish Ozzie Boardies (or anyone who can answer this).

Friend with a UK passport = medicare under reciprocal agreement.

She admitted herself to ER with a pain in her side (she thought it was her appendix). Docs ran bloods, ultrasound, gynacological exams, xrays, CT scans and I think at one point an MRI as they couldnt figure out what the problem was. She was there two nights and at the end was pronounced as having a mild case of gall stones - which they didn't treat as they were so mild.

Anyway, was having a chat with work peeps and they said all that will cost her a fortune because medicare doesnt cover like scans etc. She is under the impression that because she would get it all free under the NHS, then she should get it all free here. What are the opinions on this? I'm afraid to tell her she may be facing a large medical bill in a few weeks...:eek:

ellaq

I have never had to pay for any treatment in ER or any scans undertaken whilst in hospital. I do know that some private clinics charge a medicare gap for scans etc. I reckon your friend will be fine.

Batgurl

Thanks for your reply.

I knew there would be some payment if stuff was done privately. They would have to inform her if they were running tests privately right? Like before she agreed to them?

And on a side note, if Ozzies get all that under medicare, why do any bother getting private medical insurance???

ellaq

Because there are long wait lists for most things not classed as an emergency. And ambulances are expensive.

You still have to pay to visit most doctors, specialists and bloods, scans, etc. Your medicare, which you pay 1.5% tax for, will rebate you some of the costs.

And if you earn over a certain amount you have to pay an extra 1% tax which works out to be about the same as your PHI with the extras included.

PHI did cover a recent ambulance bill for my child, it was over $400.

The Sweeper

Whether she'll have to pay for it depends on whether or not she was admitted to the hospital. You present at emergency, they refer you for tests, you go and have the tests done and come back to the ER with the results a day or two later, you pay for the tests and claim back on medicare howevermuch you can claim.

You present at emergency, they admit you to acute and refer you for tests, the tests are covered under medicare because you are an acute inpatient.

Mellor

She also has to register for Medicare.

ROI passpost = Emergency treatment covered when you present your passport.
NI passport = register for medicare, receive medicare card. Present this card for treatment.