Australian Health Care
Australia achieves universal coverage through Medicare. Medicare is a tax-funded public insurance program that covers most medical care, including physician and hospital services and prescription drugs. Most health services are given by the federal government. About half of Australians receive additional coverage through private insurance. Private insurance can ensure dental care and private hospital visits. Around two- thirds of the hospitals are public and the rest are private. Even if a patient pays for a private hospital, they can go to a public one if they please. Physicians in public hospitals either earn a salary and can receive additional fees for seeing private patients, or are in private practice and receive hourly compensation for treating public patients. The systems wants to develop a new management structure for public hospitals locally which will increase the federal government’s contribution to public hospitals, introducing performance reporting, and strengthening primary care.
Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is a publicly-funded program that reimburses community pharmacists for the costs of dispensing medicines prescribed in accordance with a extensive national formulary. It is a key element in Australia’s comprehensive system of universal health insurance coverage for both outpatient and hospital services.
Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is a publicly-funded program that reimburses community pharmacists for the costs of dispensing medicines prescribed in accordance with a extensive national formulary. It is a key element in Australia’s comprehensive system of universal health insurance coverage for both outpatient and hospital services.