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And all this talk about socialized medicine........it's not always one or the other.
Briefly, this is how it works here.
Anyone not in receipt of a wage or salary......age pensioners, disabled, unemployed......receive a healthcare card which entitles them to receive treatment from a GP or a public hospital without charge.
Those paying tax pay a Medicare levy (percentage of earnings) which likewise entitles them to the same treatment but they pay upfront and then claim a reimbursement from a Medicare office. If the docs charges the recommended fee, you usually receive about 80% back.
Anyone with private health insurance can claim the cost as a tax benefit.......I guess the main advantage is that you can have the doctor of your choice and, for elective surgery, you will be seen sooner.
When I lived in England, I broke my arm (do not try to run downstairs wearing those shiny Wolford pantyhose). Shortly afterwards, I returned to Oz and found the arm needed more surgery. As I'd let my private health insurance lapse whilst living overseas, I saw a surgeon firstly as a private patient and then moved to his public list for the procedure. Still took only 6 weeks from my first appointment.......although I do understand that Oz, in terms of population, is a completely different kettle of fish.
I've no doubt it's a difficult thing to come to grips with but it's still worthy of the time spent trying to find a way to make it work.
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Must use Buy It Now and PayPal.
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