Medicare on a 457

coldpaw

Simple question- can you get a medicare card on a 457?

I know we have the reciprocal for hospitals but for a regular doc visit i'm out of pocket 60 bucks.

Have been told that if you are on a 457 you can apply but when i tried with medicare office today i was told not entitled and given some fact sheet.

Said it was only people from Northern Ireland who are entitled to apply

anyone have any answers?

Batgurl

coldpaw wrote: »

Simple question- can you get a medicare card on a 457?

I know we have the reciprocal for hospitals but for a regular doc visit i'm out of pocket 60 bucks.

Have been told that if you are on a 457 you can apply but when i tried with medicare office today i was told not entitled and given some fact sheet.

Said it was only people from Northern Ireland who are entitled to apply

anyone have any answers?

The answer to your question is no. You are not entitled to Medicare on a 457

eoindoyle_syd

coldpaw wrote: »

Simple question- can you get a medicare card on a 457?

I know we have the reciprocal for hospitals but for a regular doc visit i'm out of pocket 60 bucks.

Have been told that if you are on a 457 you can apply but when i tried with medicare office today i was told not entitled and given some fact sheet.

Said it was only people from Northern Ireland who are entitled to apply

anyone have any answers?

As posted above no is the answer, Irish (Republic) cannot get a medicare card; we have a reciprocal agreement with Australia instead. You pay for a GP in Ireland so you must do the same here. However it is free if you go into the emergency dep at a hospital and show id / passport. May be an overkill but I went in once with some sand in my eye (worse than it sounds though). Said it wasn't urgent and happy to wait. After about 2hrs I was seen and got treated. Just a junior doc but very good and all free.

As soon as you have a valid application for PR you can get an interim medicare card and are eligible for services. If approved you will automatically get a permanent medicare card.

Mellor

coldpaw wrote: »

Have been told that if you are on a 457 you can apply but when i tried with medicare office today i was told not entitled and given some fact sheet.

Who told you that?
Medicare depends on your residency/citizenship, ROI resident doesn't get medicare. 457 (or any other temp visa) doesn't change your residency status so you don't get anything extra

Said it was only people from Northern Ireland who are entitled to apply

North Ireland = UK resident, so they are entitled to it.

coldpaw

Thanks for the resposnes. I was actually told in a GPs office that I could be entitled to it thats why I tried but turns out not. The free hospital care is great but thought I might be entitled to even more- nothing ventured, nothing gained!