Medi-Nav Orientation Resource v6, 2024

| 3 1.1.2 Medicare Benefits Schedule The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is a listing of medical services subsidised by the Australian Government. The MBS includes a wide range of consultations, procedures and tests and the Schedule fee for each of these items (e.g. an appointment with a GP or blood tests to monitor cholesterol level). The schedule is part of the wider MBS managed by the Department of Health and Aged Care administered by Services Australia. The MBS can be accessed through the MBS online which contains the latest MBS information. The full list of included and non-included services is available on the following website: http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/Home 1.1.3 Schedule fee The schedule fee is the set amount which Medicare pays toward the cost of medical services. An example of the schedule fee is when patients visit their GP and can claim 100 per cent of the schedule fee. However, the GP, if they choose, may charge any amount above the schedule. The patient must pay the gap or difference between the schedule fee and the total amount the doctor may charge. This amount can vary between practices. 1.1.4 Medicare levy To help fund the Medicare scheme, any persons who are employed in Australia and pays income tax, must pay a Medicare levy. The Medicare levy payable is based on your taxable income. Normally, the Medicare levy is calculated at 2 per cent of your taxable income but this rate may vary depending on your circumstances. You may qualify for an exemption from paying the Medicare levy if you are in any of the following exemption categories at any time in the year: + Category 1: Medical exemption + Category 2: Foreign and Norfolk Island residents + Category 3: Not entitled to Medicare benefits (e.g. if you were not an Australian citizen) + Category 4: Dependant For further information, visit the Australian Taxation Office website: https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Medicare-and-private-health-insurance/Medicare-levy/ 1.1.5 Bulk billing arrangements by medical practitioners In Australia, doctors may direct bill (also known as bulk billing). This allows a doctor to charge Medicare directly, accepting the Medicare benefit as full payment. Patients will pay nothing when bulk billing occurs. Patients must sign a completed form (after the consultation) and be given a copy of the form. Some doctors may issue patients with an account, which they pay and then claim the benefit from Medicare. Rebates may also be paid directly into the patient’s bank account if arranged. | 11