Medicare Australia
Encyclopedia
Medicare Australia is an agency of the Australian Government
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...

 that administers health-related programs including Medicare
Medicare (Australia)
Medicare is Australia's publicly funded universal health care system, operated by the government authority Medicare Australia. Medicare is intended to provide affordable treatment by doctors and in public hospitals for all resident citizens and permanent residents except for those on Norfolk Island...

, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme or PBS is a program of the Australian Government that provides subsidised prescription drugs to residents of Australia. The PBS ensures that all Australians have affordable and reliable access to a wide range of necessary medicines.-History:The PBS was established...

 (PBS), and others. It is a prescribed agency under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (Cth) and a statutory agency within the Department of Human Services
Department of Human Services (Australia)
The Department of Human Services is an Australian Government agency which is responsible for delivering a range of welfare, social services, health services and other services for the Australian Government....

, under the Public Service Act 1999 (Cth). Prior to 1 October 2005, Medicare Australia was known as the Health Insurance Commission (HIC).

The National Office of Medicare Australia is located in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...

, and is responsible for policy and program development. Medicare Australia also has many branch offices across Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

, usually located in retail centres. These are responsible for processing payments and claims from members of the public.

Programs administered

Medicare Australia administers various health-related programs in partnership with the Department of Health and Ageing
Department of Health and Ageing (Australia)
The Department of Health and Ageing is an Australian Government department. Its role is to oversee the running of Australia including supporting universal and affordable access to medical, pharmaceutical and hospital services, while helping people to stay healthy through health promotion and...

. As of 2007, these programs included:
  • Medicare
    Medicare (Australia)
    Medicare is Australia's publicly funded universal health care system, operated by the government authority Medicare Australia. Medicare is intended to provide affordable treatment by doctors and in public hospitals for all resident citizens and permanent residents except for those on Norfolk Island...

  • Family Assistance Office
  • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
    Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
    The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme or PBS is a program of the Australian Government that provides subsidised prescription drugs to residents of Australia. The PBS ensures that all Australians have affordable and reliable access to a wide range of necessary medicines.-History:The PBS was established...

     (PBS)
  • Australian Government 30% Private Health Insurance Rebate
  • Special Assistance Schemes
  • Aged Care
    Elderly care
    Elderly care or simply eldercare is the fulfillment of the special needs and requirements that are unique to senior citizens. This broad term encompasses such services as assisted living, adult day care, long term care, nursing homes, hospice care, and In-Home care.-Cultural and geographic...

  • Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR)
  • Australian Organ Donor Register
    Australian Organ Donor Register
    The Australian Organ Donor Register is an Australian government register, recording individuals who have agreed to donate organs and tissues in the event of their death. The register is administered by Medicare Australia.- Operation :...

  • General Practice Immunisation Incentives Scheme (GPII)
  • Practice Incentives Program
  • Rural Retention Program
  • Medical Rural Bonded Scheme
  • Medical Indemnity
    Indemnity
    An indemnity is a sum paid by A to B by way of compensation for a particular loss suffered by B. The indemnitor may or may not be responsible for the loss suffered by the indemnitee...

  • Indigenous Health
  • Compensation Recovery Program
  • Herceptin
  • Hearing Services Program
  • DoctorConnect
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