Health care for Older Australians

As an older Australian, you may have needs relating to health and wellbeing. There is a range of Centrelink and Medicare services available to help older Australians. The Medicare Safety Net and the Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme will make the cost of health care services and prescription medicines cheaper.

Who does this information apply to?

This information applies to older people who want:

• help with the cost of using health care services
• help with the cost of buying medicine
• help with the cost of managing specific health conditions
• help to care for a person with a health condition.

Support for when you use health care services

Medicare services help you cover the cost of using health care services, such as making a visit to your doctor or using some in-hospital services. If you need to see a doctor or have tests regularly you could end up with high medical costs. Once you reach a Medicare Safety Net threshold, visiting a doctor or having tests may cost you less.

If you or your family pay for private health insurance you can get the Australian Government’s 30 per cent rebate on your premiums.

Support for when you buy medicines

Many types of medicine cost much more than the price you pay. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the PBS Safety Net will make buying some medicines less expensive. Depending on your circumstances you might be able to get one or more concession cards to help cover the cost of your medicine.

Special health services

If you are eligible, you can get health support through a number of special programs.

• The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program helps you with early detection of bowel cancer.
• The External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program provides you with new or replacement external breast prosthesis if you have had a mastectomy because of breast cancer.
• The Continence Aids Payment Scheme is an annual payment to help you cover the cost of buying continence products from the supplier of your choice.