What is Medicare in Australia?

• A. A private health insurance plan
• B. Australia's universal health insurance scheme, subsidised by the government
• C. A program for dental care only
• D. An emergency ambulance service

Answer: (B)

Medicare in Australia is the government's universal health care system. It provides free or subsidised access to essential medical services for residents and eligible visitors, funded by the Medicare Levy and general government revenue. It covers visits to a general practitioner, specialist care when referred, and treatment in public hospitals, and it works with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to help subsidise medicines. It isn’t private health insurance, and it doesn’t cover every service—many dental services, most ambulance services, and some allied health items may require out-of-pocket payments or private insurance. People can choose private health cover in addition to Medicare for extra services or faster access, but Medicare itself is publicly funded and universal.