medicare card

     

A Meicare Card is a green coloured plastic card (or light blue for interim cards) which identifies the persons listed on it as eligible for rebates under the Australian Medicare system when they are treated privately by a doctor with a provider number. Doctors who do not have provider numbers do not attract the Medicare rebate, and so the Medicare card cannot be used with such doctors. All permanent residents of Australia and their families are eligible for a "Medicare Card", except for those resident on Norfolk Island where the Medicare system does not apply; eligibility is not connected to Australian citizenship. The card lists an individual as well as any members of his or her family he or she chooses to add who are also permanent residents and meet the Medicare definition of dependent. The card must be produced or the Medicare number provided if the Medicare rebate is paid directly to the doctor under the bulk billing system. It is also necessary to provide a Medicare number (although not necessarily show the card) to gain access to the public hospital system to be treated at no cost as a public patient. For non-elective treatment, public hospitals will admit patients without a number/card and resolve Medicare eligibility issues after treatment.

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