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their older adults
Health care
There are a range of benefits, payments and services to help you with the cost of using health care services, buying prescription medicines or medical equipment.
on this page
Illness and disability payments
There are payments to assist you if you live with an illness or disability. This includes the Disability Support Pension[6], Mobility Allowance[20] and Sickness Allowance[17].The Disability Support Pension provides financial support if you have a physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition that stops you from working, or if you are permanently blind.
This includes payments for conditions such as cleft lip and cleft palate[4].
Mobility Allowance helps people who have a disability, illness or injury to participate in approved activities. The allowance helps with transport costs if you cannot use public transport without substantial assistance.
Sickness Allowance is a short-term payment for people who are employed but who temporarily cannot work, or in some cases study full-time, because of a medical condition. There are also payments to assist if you or someone you provide care for lives with a chronic illness or disability.
The Essential Medical Equipment Payment[7] can cover the additional running costs that arise from the introduction of a carbon price on 1 July 2012 for essential medical equipment and/or medically required heating/cooling.
Medicare payments and services
There are several key Medicare payments and services that help when you or your dependants use health care services or need medicines. The Medicare Safety Net[11] can make a visit to the doctor cheaper.The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme[16] (PBS) and PBS Safety Net[21] can reduce the cost of a wide range of prescription medicines.
If you or your family pay for private health insurance, you may be eligible for the Australian Government Private Health Insurance Rebate[1] on your premiums.
You can register [22]for a personally controlled electronic health (eHealth) record to have a secure online summary of your health information.
For more information, read Medicare services[23].
Concession and health care cards
Depending on your circumstances you might be able to get one or more concession and health care cards[24] to help with your health care costs.Help with immunisation
We manage the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register so that parents and carers can access the vaccination details for their children aged under seven.You can get a copy of your child's immunisation details at any time:
- through Medicare Online Services[25]
- by requesting a statement[26] to be sent in the mail
- at your local Medicare Service Centre[27]
- by calling the Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809
Special health services
If you are eligible, you can get health support through a number of special programs.- The MedsCheck Program[13] helps you better understand your medicines and makes sure you’re using them correctly
- Australians who turn 50, 55 and 65 years of age between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2014 will be invited to participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program[28] that can help with early detection of bowel cancer.
- The External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program[8] provides you with new or replacement external breast prostheses if you have had a mastectomy because of breast cancer.
- The Continence Aids Payment Scheme[5] is an annual payment to help you cover the cost of buying continence products from the supplier of your choice.
Other government and community support services
Better Start for Children with Disability initiative[29] provides early intervention services and treatments for eligible children with disability.If you are experiencing depression, anxiety or stress, you may find it helpful to talk to somebody[30] about your situation.
There are a range of government and community organisations that provide support services and useful information you may find helpful.
The Department of Health[31] provides information and connections aimed at promoting better health and active ageing.
Disability Services Australia[32] provides information on employment and community support services for people with a disability.
eHealth.gov.au[33] provides information on how to register your child for an eHealth record. An eHealth record allows you and the doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers you authorise to view and share health information and find the best possible care.
Health Insite[34] provides information on maintaining health and wellbeing.
JobAccess[35] offers help and workplace solutions for people with a disability looking for work and their employers.
The associated link
