American reacts to Australian Healthcare (how it works)

[@fugawiaus]

Are Aussies happy with our system? Whenever we’re upset with it we just look at the US system and we think thank god were not in America. Hehe

[@Grant82gc]

​@@joelbattiston1139Australians have the right to defend themselves as long as it's reasonable force and compliant with the level of force continuum.

[@spamham897]

@@joelbattiston1139we also have freedom of speech. Did you think we didn’t?

[@johncoops6897]

​@@joelbattiston1139- Australians don't have any Soverign Citizens, First Amendment Auditors, and other public nuisances annoying the F... out of us. Also, we have virtually no gun crime so we don't need to "protect" ourselves from the silly things that Americans hold to be so IMPORTANT. EDIT : I said we "don't have any", however that is probably incorrect so I revise that to "don't have many". 😉

[@Elriuhilu]

​@@johncoops6897unfortunately we do have sovereign citizens, but nowhere close to USA numbers.

[@johncoops6897]

@@Elriuhilu - yes a few, but the cops and courts clean them up fairly efficiently. The public also tends to assist where they can 😉

[@sianprice7210]

I’m an Aussie. I recently spent 7 weeks in hospital. I underwent 2 operations, 12 CT scans, daily blood tests, ultrasounds, x-rays and upon returning home, I had community nurses visit me every day for 12 weeks. I didn’t have private health insurance and was admitted as a public patient and everything was FREE. Here we have bulk billing (Medicare) general practitioners where there is no charge and private billing general practitioners who charge above the Medicare price and you pay the difference. If you go to a public hospital, it is free. You have to go on a waiting list if your condition isn’t urgent. I was admitted immediately because my gallbladder burst at home. If you pay into a private health fund you can choose your own specialist/surgeon etc, go to a private hospital with next to no wait. I was extremely grateful to our health system. It saved my life and didn’t cost me a cent. 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@LukeXMV]

Take care of your teeth. Because you don't have universal dental cover like in Europe...

[@pixie3760]

I hope you're well now...what an ordeal for you. I rarely watch T.V. and if I do I'm horrified by the American health services, I can't understand how a wealthy country can treat it's citizens in such a way.

[@sianprice7210]

I pay a small amount into a private health fund each fortnight, which covers EXTRAS, like dental, optical, ambulance (which is free for me anyway, as I am a disabled pensioner) and other procedures, which doesn’t come under hospital.

[@sianprice7210]

TYVM Pixie. I am doing much better. I am lucky to be alive. I spent 1 week in ICU. My burst gallbladder caused 5 abscesses on my liver and Sepsis. I made it though and I am forever grateful to God and the hospital team. It was a terrible, long ordeal. Can you imagine the costs I would have accumulated if I was in the USA!!! xxx

[@pixie3760]

@@sianprice7210 what a horrible ordeal for you to have to go through. One day at a time...and I hope you're as fit as a teenager really soon xxx

[@bimma320]

Aussie here. Fell off a moving truck a couple of years ago on a farm accident. Came millimeters from being a quadriplegic. Ambulance from country hospital to city hospital, two surgeries with neurological specialists, 17 days in a private room, brilliant care team and months of follow up rehab. Cost me $0 out of pocket. Very grateful.

[@hayleyferguson5284]

So glad you’re ok (fellow Aussie here).

[@zyeborm]

Be aware that ambulance isn't free in many states here. Notably vic,act,nsw,qld Ambulance cover by itself is about $25. In NSW why form of private hospital cover must include it. Wife had a thunderclap headache and went to the er by weewo wagon $450 for about 10 minutes. Covered by her insurance.

[@jnjsorr]

​@@zyebormQueensland residents get free ambulances anywhere in Australia?

[@zyeborm]

@@jnjsorr my mistake, it varies wildly

[@sherrieakhtari1311]

I believe so. My sister needed an ambulance in Sydney and the fee we got was $850. Later we contacted NSW Ambulance and all she had to do was prove she was a resident of QLD and the fee was waived as it's paid for by the QLD scheme. Just a photo of the front and back of her Drivers License is all we needed to send.@@jnjsorr

[@mgr1084]

My toddler went through 2yrs of chemo and the only things we paid for were $20/mo for hospital parking and $30-50/mo for take-home meds. Aussie healthcare is top notch ❤

[@silvertayuun]

What decade was that? Hospital parking is like 20per hour now…

[@ajoseajose9297]

​@@silvertayuun $1 per hour

[@egyptrocks265]

absolutely and we need to make sure it stays that way

[@heftyelf]

Bugger about you having paid for parking as your doctor could have signed an application for a short term mobility parking permit so you could park for free ❤

[@carmattvidz4426]

for urgent and life saving care it is top notch. It starts to fall down in general medicine and accessing none urgent care. Try getting an Autism assessment for your child. It a three year plus wait.

[@karagrant3245]

Aussie here! I just recently had and an emergency C-section. My baby had to stay in the NICU for four days. I had to stay in hospital for five days. The nurses and especially the midwives took great care of me and my baby. It cost me nothing which I am so grateful for.

[@elizabethsmith9962]

I am Australian, a pensioner, and nearly 70 i recently had a cardiac arrest at home. I already had the ambulance guys there, so they were able to shock my heart and perform cpr. When I became conscious I realised there were 3 ambulances there. I was taken to the local hospital and helicoptered to the Vic Heart Hospital. I spent nearly 2 weeks there and had a defibrillator inserted in my chest. Lots of test mri etcThen ambulance home (2 hours away) great treatment from everyone. Total cost to myself $0 .

[@melissaschneider7955]

So glad you’re still here to tell us your story!!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

[@johnlaine2654]

Reading comments by Australians it would seem you now have an idea of how well off we are in regard to our medical system.All Permanent residents and Australian citizens are entitled to our Medicare card. This entitles all of these people to FREE medical treatment and hospital/surgeries Providing you present at a Government Hospital to be treated. Same goes for Ambulance. Most medicines are available at a set fee per script. Usually $30AU. I’m a Pensioner so my scripts cost $7.30, some pharmacies it’s $6.30. EG. I am a type 1 diabetic, 5 boxes of 5 insulin pens( total 25 pens). cost me $7.30.Continuous Glucose monitors and Senders are FREE. Covid medicine Full Price is $1,184. Mostly All medicine to Pensioners is $7.30 per script.On Medicare it’s either $7.30 or $30.I don’t pay for X -Rays, MRI etc.And YES ,I still have Private Cover in case I need Major surgery.Under Medicare I may have to wait but with Private Insurance As soon as A Specialist says they can do it, I can get it done.There can be a Gap payment but it’s much better than waiting in pain.

[@jackhammer_au9961]

Glad to hear you're doing ok. Our health system isn't perfect but its bloody good by world standards. Take care.

[@jessovenden]

Mate, you got it in one. What use is a first-world government unless they protect their people? I think it’s simple enough why you don’t have universal health care in your US. Money. Huge profits are made by rich companies and individuals, and those people basically run the US. Think it’s called capitalism gone mad. Money matters much more than people. It’s just sad. We do feel sorry for you.

[@oakfat5178]

@@jessovenden US health insurance companies = corporate parasites

[@shell__5893]

Im a healthy 33 yr old Australian. Last year i nearly doed from Necrotising Fasciitis (flesh eating disease). I had 3 operations, 4 days in the in ICU, and 2 weeks total in hospital. Once at home, i had 4 months of near daily at home nurse care.... My total bill... $0. I will happily pay my taxes to make sure someone doesnt have to go into a lifetimes debt over heathcare.

[@Seajack64]

As a taxpaying Australian, I am happy that tax money is used to protect residents and citizens like this.

[@shell__5893]

@@nevmcc3884 I'm sorry you went through that. It's definitely not perfect.

[@shell__5893]

@@Adroyo and my taxes helped pay for all the other people in hospital. I'm happy to know other people can get the care they need.

[@Freestyle80]

@@Adroyoyeah dude difference between you Muricans and us is we arent selfish people who only think about themselves

[@TheNanipounani]

​@@Adroyoand we're happy to pay our tax towards our fellow citizens health, rather than the destruction of other countries in the name of 'self-defence'

[@Asguard82]

I’m a nurse in a public hospital in Australia and I LOVE being a government employee. My job is secure and I don’t have to worry about if my patients can afford to pay. I just treat them, the things asked at triage is “what brought you in” not “what is your insurance”

[@AussieFossil]

I was in a small Private Hospital a few years ago and I was chatting to a nurse who looked a bit unhappy. Eventually I asked her if anything was wrong and she told me that she used to work in a public hospital and that she was bored with her new job. Basically, she didn't have enough to do.

[@StephP2025]

Thankyou for everything you do for us ❤

[@peachiedb]

For how long will that be the case though? With g.ps now charging hi think it won't be long until we have to pay to be in hospital. Pretty much if you don't want to wait a long time then you have to pay to go to hospital. That's not a great choice

[@Asguard82]

@@peachiedb​​⁠that’s bunkem, the public system will always be public and free. Yes there needs to be changes to Medicare to increase reimbursement to GPs and to look at other options like nurse pracs and physio pracs and prescribing psychologists but as a general rule ANYONE who took making public hospitals fee for service is going to lose the election and every election there after for a very long time

[@adumbchicken8022]

As an australian who hasnt really had to worry about any of this just yet, reading all these comments and watching this video was incredibly relieveing to me.

[@BeczaBot]

If you think you might need an ambulance at some point, it would be smart to get ambulance cover, as in some states, calling gor an ambulance without ambulance cover will have the hospital send you a bill for thousands of dollars.

[@Mrherbalful]

When I was in my early twenties I was self employed. I didn't have health insurance and I felt I was invincible. I ended up with an incapacitating hernia. I couldn't work nor study. I was told the minimum cost for the surgery would be $8000 and could cost much more if I wanted the surgery to be done immediately through the private system. Now that surgery is already subsidised by the government so I'd hate to think what it would cost in America. However as a young 20 year old that was a lot of money, so I elected for Medicare. I was given an income each week under disability, and through some great work from my GP and surgeon I only had to wait two weeks for the operation. I left the hospital without paying a cent. My painkillers were provided to me for free and after six weeks of rehabilitation I was back at collage and work. I'm now in my 40's and I'm more than happy that part of my income goes to help people in need. I make a good living and I also pay for private insurance. The public system in Australia does have it's flaws but it is there to help. The quality of doctors nurses and staff are equal to that of the private industry. I do pay for private GP's though as I have found they are much more caring and helpful than the bulk billing doctors. I pay $65 per visit then Medicare will refund about $30.

[@lillibitjohnson7293]

I’m 62 ,aussie and never ever paid private healthcare. I have chronic health conditions and been on a disability pension since 2010. None of my doctors , specialists or hospital visits cost me a cent

[@owynpham1478]

Happy to be looking after you mate! Just make sure there's still enough for me when I get to your age. 😂

[@lillibitjohnson7293]

@@owynpham1478 lol I worked enough to pay for your share before I got sick matey lol

[@Haylo545]

My husband and I can not afford and refuse to get private healthcare if we could ever afford to. We rather pay the Medicare levy and support public health than to pay towards Private *Edit* I’m on the bottom of the barrel, I have children with health issues and disability. So sadly I am dependent on taxpayers. Again can’t afford PH and likely will never. Nevertheless I stand corrected about the levy.

[@lillibitjohnson7293]

@@Haylo545 same. I always paid the Levi and until I got sick hardly ever used Medicare except to have kids.

[@derekhobbs1102]

I'm also on DSP, but my GP appointments cost me $15 since they stopped bulk billing.

[@DawsonStreet-k5l]

My wife collapsed at home , Ambulance to hospital , MRI , CT , detected brain tumor , neuro surgery , intensive care for weeks , then into a ward & eventually home . Physio to our home for rehab , everything she needed , nurses for showers , domestic home help , then it was immonolgy treatment for 1 year , last treatment this week . Everything totally paid for , all this & it never cost us a cent . Thank GOD for our public health system , I know some people have had a problem but for us & many others we have met have nothing but praise , THANK YOU .

[@0p3r8r]

I'm Aussie, earlier this year I had a stroke at 48. I had no idea how great our healthcare is and how absolutely devoted anyone involved is with getting you well again. It brought more than a tear to my eye witnessing these people who care about others day in and day out. In a way I'm glad I had the stroke and witnessed that side of life, it truly changed my view of the world. 4 days a week lovely support workers help me with being back at home. Nothing cost me a cent. I plan to enter the workforce and be helping people the best I can wherever I can find a place to fit in eventually. I can't be thankful enough.

[@elrey8876]

Good on you mate

[@AnneOnymaus]

@DavoFett I hope your recovery is quick & painless, Davo: keep on keeping on!

[@johnpettit8928]

Completely agree. I had a minor operation a few months back for an infected thumb, and although I'm 72 this was my first encounter with a hospital. So impressed was I for the kindness and the quality of the people I encountered there I wrote to the hospital expressing my gratitude to the staff, from surgical to clerical. It was a real eye-opening experience.

[@scottlampe70]

At 48 he likely did, but private health would not cover much in a stroke situation anyway. Some of the rehab perhaps, or he could opt to be moved to a private room in the hospital, but the public system would have covered most of it.

[@0p3r8r]

@@johnpettit8928 My first encounter with a hospital as well. You seem more eloquent than myself, saying what I meant concisely. I am terrible writing with my left hand, (non dominant side) I wanted to send in a nicely written card myself. Instead I plan to take in baskets of many treats so that anyone may indulge. @nomesy7653 I did not have private insurance no. I have barely ever been to see a GP let alone hospital, I have been lucky in that regard and it never occurred to me to get private health cover. I've always had physical jobs and I guess that kept me relatively fit perhaps. @scottlampe70 You're right, the people with private health were in the same stroke unit as me. They had different choices of food but no private room as far as I knew. I thought I would be in hospital a few days until they were sure I had nothing life threatening, then have to find a way home. I was in hospital for two and a half months and everyone, even the people who bring your food (which was quite good btw) were absolutely lovely to the core, I was also taken home and the place checked for how I will manage. Thanks everyone for kind words, I was glad for a well timed platform for praising our medical system and the people working it.

[@louisejoyful]

I've had numerous hospital admissions over the last four years due to chronic illness. It's cost me nothing. One of my medications costs $30 a month, in the US it's close to $3000 a month. I'm very grateful to be here.

[@ronwoodhouse2896]

It’s the lack of gun shot wounds that really keep us healthy down here.

[@derrickwatson8337]

In Australia the private health insurance doesn't get you better doctors. The doctors work in both private and public hospitals. The main difference is that you get to choose your doctor.

[@heatherrowles9930]

Ive had 20 surgeries and only with open heart did I not choose my own surgeon.....although I could have if I wanted to, I already had the best available.......all my other specialists I see privately, I have 5, only one charges a gap. Most of my surgeries have been done by private doctors in public hospitals and Ive never had to pay for any of the surgeries, just visits to the doctor's rooms.

[@njsmkmmsthatsit3518]

Well Most public hospitals in AU say if you have private cover and elect to use it in a public hospital (we don't have to) they will give you a private room (if one is available) and you can choose your Dr (if they have visiting rights ) Also as an incentive to go private they guarantee there will be no gap payment. If you want a particular specialist you ask your referring Dr to write that specialists name on the original referral. Oh and teaching hospitals usually do have the best Dr's. Certainly those with the most experience in their field of expertise as well as often those that see the most diverse range of diseases within their specialty. So yeah always opt for teaching hospitals regardless.

[@ladysusanjane2682]

In comparison to the US, we have a great system but there are definite flaws. The pressure on the public system has increased in recent years for many reasons incl the increasing age of the population and many people not being able to afford private health anymore. The govt hasn’t kept up with the Medicare rebates and prices have increased for provision of care so many doctors have increased the patient gap now. If an Australian had an emergency presentation in the ED they will be seen quickly. The problems arrive when chronic health conditions over run the ED as many General Practitioners no longer bulk bill and so patients wait to be seen in the ED for non urgent matters. We are still very lucky in comparison to many other countries but the problems are increasing and starting to run away…….(written by an ED nurse having worked in hospital EDs for 17 years)

[@lachlanjennings607]

In some cases public doctors are significantly better due to the experience they obtain with regular surgery and emergency care, in a public hospital we will often be transferred a post op private patient to care for due to lack of support in private...

[@lobstermash]

@@lachlanjennings607 I agree that public hospitals are likely to have the best doctors, especially teaching hospitals. Where there is a proper public health system, the private hospitals make their money by providing higher levels of comfort (food, decor, privacy, etc) with pretty mainstream care - varicose veins, cosmetic surgery, appendicectomies, gall bladders, etc. You have something really unusual? Go public. You'll probably wind up there anyway when the private hospital find your problem is beyond their scope.

[@IcanBePsycho]

A lot of tax Australians pay goes towards healthcare, a lot of tax Americans pay goes towards the military.

[@christinesavage4837]

But USA still pays more tax per person for healthcare than Australia.

[@RandomStuff-he7lu]

Very few countries pay more tax per capita towards healthcare than the USA. Australia is not one of those countries.

[@liammcintosh8466]

That’s a completely different topic mate

[@overworlder]

Actually Americans pay less tax than Australians. But not if you include private health care costs (health insurance and out-of-pocket payments).

[@hilliard665]

I mean we pay 2% Medicare levy and are charged between 19 and 37% income tax, so not a lot of the tax we pay goes toward it.

[@noelvalenti8677]

Some very important points missed by many Americans. Prevention is better than cure. We spend less tax dollars per person on healthcare than the US (about a third the amount). Healthcare in Australia is used to make people better, it's used as a profit machine in the US.

[@pholliez]

This is such an important point! I’m American born but moved to Australia 23 years ago when I gave birth here in Australia my mother (a teacher) was so impressed that the kids had their hearing tested on day 2. My son had very bad ‘glue ear’ which meant he couldn’t hear anything. The glue ear was sorted that day, tested again the next and hearing was perfect. In New York State, kids aren’t hearing tested normally until they start school. If there are problems, they get sorted out then, after key language learning years have been lost. The school then has to provide speech therapy and special learning aids, all at a much higher cost than fixing something like glue ear in the beginning.

[@BDub2024]

I thought in US the drugs are more expensive for people too. In Australia, the government strikes better deals with the companies. Then they provide subsidies for the drugs to make them cheaper for people.

[@TrickyNick79]

I have private health insurance here in Australia. They really push you take advantage of the coverage they can give for dental, fitness etc. because they know it's in their interests to keep me healthy. They'll give me $10 for a sun hat now to save thousands on skin cancer later.

[@theDataStudent]

Prevention is better than a cure when you live in a society that values a human life on metrics other than how much money one can make off you. Americans dont share that value politically, therefore cure is better than prevention to them, because it extracts more money out of you.

[@slayin1496]

@@BDub2024 meanwhile the us government has been paid by big pharma to make it ILLEGAL for the government to negotiate better deals for bulk purchase of medicine, meaning the companies can charge pretty mnuch whatever they want, hench insulin prices being so high in the US

[@StephP2025]

I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer....my specialist only charged me about $130 each visit some of it i got back from Medicare...i was operated in 2 weeks from biopsy in a public hospital....excellent surgeons and it couldn't of been any different going under private costing $7000 or so....the cancer ward offers everything they can including numerous scans....but its up to you to get a good GP and the best advise.....however our dental is outrageous.

[@GreenDistantStar]

A workable public healthcare system takes decades to develop, which is exactly what Australia did. Medical bills are the largest reason for personal bankruptcy in the USA, around 550,000 people per annum. In Australia, no one gets bankrupted by medical bills. Loss of income due to injury etc has to be factored in of course. Quality of life is composed of many things, and freedom from worry is a big one.

[@matthewbrown6163]

ExGF was American & needed to see a doctor but the Co Payment was $250 USD that she needed to pay up front. I gave her the money & she repaid me back from the insurance refund.

[@derekhobbs1102]

Back in 90s when my youngest brother was being treated for leukemia, we met families that had gone bankrupt from cost of treatments while on private insurance, so out principle, I refuse to have it.

[@d.robertdigman1293]

"Freedom from worry..." I wish more people thought about that!

[@Friendlyfirefish]

Check your super. You may have income protection included in it.

[@jessicaahhhhh]

That’s one plus in New Zealand, we are one of the only countries with an accident compensation system so if you get any kind of accidental injury you’ll be paid 80% of your wage and get free taxis, cleaners etc until you’re better

[@dutchroll]

My wife of over 20 years is an aussie specialist doctor and the "gap" payments, or co-pays, you might get charged above the Medicare Schedule fee often have no relationship to the competency of the doctor. In fact one specialist she knows wanted to work less and reduce her patient burden so she raised her gap fee enormously, figuring it would deter people from seeking appointments. She actually got busier because patients thought "she's so expensive, she must be amazing". Human psychology is weird.

[@belindahutchinson5333]

I know doctors who have tried that... they lose a lot of patients.

[@Ishlacorrin]

@@belindahutchinson5333 Some do, some don't, depends on WHERE you work. Rich people tend to believe that more expensive = better, while those with less tend to either not believe that or just cannot afford to choose. As someone who works in an industry where cost does still = quality, I see both types of people on a daily basis.

[@annanz0118]

@@belindahutchinson5333 Some do it BECAUSE they want to lose patients if they are too busy or their waiting lists are too long. It doesn't always work as some patients think the highest charging specialist must be the best.

[@soulsurvivor8293]

A private practitioner can limit the number of patients they will see. The public sector can request that they treat a public patient if the need arises, which is more often than not these days. Especially if they are a specialist. I'm not sure if they must accept the request, but I'm fairly sure the public sector covers the full cost in such intances.

[@warwickruse2556]

​@@belindahutchinson5333as long as tomorrow always has as much work as you want to do, it doesn't matter whether your your books are "only" full for one further day.as long as you work every day you want too.

[@grandmothergoose]

I just looked up the cost of one of my current medications in the USA. According to numerous sources, it varies from $407 to $1006, depending upon the pharmacy, level of insurance coverage, state, coupons and discounts. In NSW Australia, full price for exactly the same amount of the same medication at the same dose is $78.47, PBS cost is $30, and because I'm on a pension my cost is $6.50. That's an astounding difference.

[@bronwynpalmer6362]

Australian here. My son had a stroke when he was sixteen. He was hospitalised for a week, and had multiple MRIs, CT scans, etc. All of his care cost us nothing because we did not have insurance, and it was covered under the Medicare system. I am extremely grateful for our system, and am very aware that if we had been living in the States and that had happened, we would probably be homeless now, or he would be dead.

[@christinehawkins8518]

A couple of years ago I learned that I had some precancerous cells, and my feet barely hit the ground before I was whisked into a public hospital in Sydney for preventative surgery and a biopsy to make sure that actual cancer hadn't developed. So the public health system can move really quickly where life-threatening illnesses are involved. The surroundings weren't luxurious, but the care was top notch. A shout out to all the nurses in St George!

[@jennanail]

Same! I went to RHW. It was fantastic.

[@sianprice7210]

My daughter works at St George hospital, in the Cancer Care Unit. She is a Senior Medical Radiation Physicist and has worked there for well over 20 years. It is a very good hospital. Unfortunately, it is also where my dear Dad passed away while in ICU. The staff, doctors, nurses etc were all caring, thorough and fantastic. ❤️

[@popeye807]

I've said this before, as an Australian I had to get a lobe of my lung removed so I went into hospital, had the operation and spent 2 weeks in intensive care completely in the public system and the only thing I had to pay for was the newspapers I bought in other words it cost me absolutely nothing. Medicare may not be perfect but I hate to think of my medical bill if I had to pay for it. Plus I can not find any fault with the care I received.

[@peterbuckley3877]

That’s right, it might not be absolutely perfect but it works 99% of the time and is a far better system than any other country has.

[@cozy3314]

I’m an American currently working in Australia in the healthcare system and for my personal situation I’d much rather be in America. Sure, you need to pay more for health insurance in America but the wages are so so so much higher. I was making about $50,000 aud more in America than aus doing the same job. Also the amount of pensioners unable to afford healthcare is staggering

[@scottlampe70]

Why is the US system better for you? You said it costs more, but didn't say why it was better. Pensioners in the US or pensioners in AU can't afford healthcare?

[@peterbuckley3877]

@@cozy3314 working in the industry might be more beneficial for you in the US but that’s one of the reasons your healthcare system is so expensive. Nobody in Australia goes untreated and they certainly won’t be bankrupted by medical bills. Private insurance is optional here and has its benefits but if you don’t have it you’ll never go untreated.

[@workingmum1552]

@@cozy3314but, maybe you don’t qualify for Medicare. If you’re under a visa that gives you access to Medicare, or if you were from a reciprocal country, you’d realise how good it actually is. Perhaps look at getting a different visa, like a 190 or 189 even a 491 or a 494, and apply for Medicare. It will make a difference.

[@bblake5116]

I’ve had a chronic illness for 31 years, so many scans, tests, surgery, hospital stays and two babies. My youngest spent 2 months in hospital as she was born at 28 weeks, she has also had surgery and treatment for her cerebral palsy. Apart from the minimal charge I pay for my medications each month, our health care has cost $0.

[@FrankIsh-v5l]

We really are lucky aren’t we. And you know what, I’m 36, I’ve never spent a night in hospital, no kids, a few minor things as a kid, and I’m more than willing to pay taxes each year that go into healthcare and help fund care for people who have no control over what illnesses or diseases they have cuz it’s the right thing to do. What is it about some ppl in the US that have a completely different mindset of ‘Ill pay when I need it screw everyone else’

[@thevintageemu9746]

Bulk billing means the Doctor or service sends the bill direct to Medicare and you pay $0. Our medications are a small fraction of what you pay, the government caps what companies can charge for medications.

[@navs485]

It doesn't cost zero I paid tax for it. As did you, directly or indirectly.

[@pixie3760]

We're very lucky here

[@pixie3760]

​@@navs4852% of our tax goes to Medicare. Who notices 2%? We're extremely lucky here

[@jessovenden]

In our public system if you really need care fast you will NOT wait. I was diagnosed with cancer and treatment started the next morning. Many of the other women with breast cancer that I met during my (extensive) treatment had private insurance and I was treated exactly the same as them. When people talk about waiting for medical treatment it’s generally not really urgent. Just so you know Ryan. Happy arvo mate.

[@robynmurray7421]

Unfortunately, there is a big gap between city and rural care, regardless of whether you have insurance or not. My sister and aunt were both diagnosed with breast cancer around the same time. Sister who lived on a capital city receives all possible tests, was diagnosed within days and began treatment immediately. Aunt who lives in a country town was still waiting for test results weeks later.

[@oakfat5178]

My mother had a heart problem and was rushed by ambulance from the nursing home to Royal Adelaide Hospital, and spent the next nine hours waiting in the ambulance for a place in the ER. Cardiac docs brought some gear out to the ambulance. It's called "ramping" in Aus - it's been chronic in SA for many years. neither left or right wing governments have been able to fix it, because SA health is a law unto itself and no government can touch them.

[@seachangelezzie]

I live regionally, and was told there was a 6 month wait for a biopsy for my multiple liver tumours. I travelled to Sydney to get it done sooner, so had out of pocket travel costs and paid for the specialist out of pocket too. There are definitely discrepancies between regional and city care

[@PeterJohnson76]

You are correct, but Non Urgent can mean sports injury. My mate struggles to walk because when n getting a sports injury, he had to wait 9 months to be seen. By then permanent damage had set it, whereas if he had private health insurance not only would he be walking, but maybe even still playing. Suddenly saving $2,000 a year doesn't sound so smart.

[@marthanewsome6375]

Exactly, there are too many idiots out there who go to the hospital for a cold instead of seeing a GP. But if you have something serious you are in and seen to very quickly here in Australia. Although there have been times when people were sent away from the hospital for seemingly minor illnesses to find out later they actually had something more severe or even died. I wish the hypochondriacs would just see their GP, so doctors in hospitals here are treating issues that are serious. Personally, unless I think I'm actually dying like having severe chest pain or breathing problems my first port of call is the GP. I do have diagnosed lung issues, so they could be serious. Broke my leg and went to the GP first and then he sent me to the hospital. It cost me $0.

[@brayden1562]

So in Australia, most younger Australian's are opting out of private health insurance because the public system is so good - there's no real incentive.

[@hetheringtonfamily8798]

I am an Aussie and I am very happy with our health system. I live in the country and if I need to go to a city for testing I can get a thing called PATS (patient assisted travel scheme) it only covers fuel and half of the accommodation but that is awesome

[@dandytb]

I was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2020. Because I presented with it at a public hospital it cost me absolutely nothing. X-rays, CT’s, MRI’s, PET Scans, Specialist care and Chemo, Plus ongoing check ups ALL free

[@thecrookedtrail679]

How you doing now?

[@buzzzzzz69]

In the U.S. or Oz?

[@dandytb]

@@buzzzzzz69 Australia

[@johncoops6897]

​@@buzzzzzz69- it costs AUD $0 which is the equivalent of USD $0 😂

[@lindyasimus]

Also worth noting that for some cancers, the best options are only available through the public system. Good luck with your treatment.

[@RolandjHearn]

When we lived in the US 20 years ago our monthly family health insurance was close to $1000/month. My son broke his arm and our copay for everything was close to $10,000. Now 20 years later our monthly health insurance, back in Australia, is $350/month. When we were about to come home from the US my wife needed gallbladder surgery. The hospital said it was going to cost us about $10,000 from memory. I said to the doctor that we were going back to Australia in a few weeks were it would cost nothing would she be ok for a couple of weeks. He ummed and aghhed a bit. I asked him, "candidly if it was your wife what would you do?" He said, "oh that's easy I would ask her to wait until we got back to Australia." We did, she was fine, she had the surgery, cost nothing.

[@tayb4812]

I'm type 1 diabetic, have been 15 years. It breaks my heart to hear about people in America rationing insulin or some even dying, because they can't afford insulin. I pay about $1 - $2 per vial, if i lose a pen, or have one going a bit warm, its not even a problem i just grab a fresh one, to make sure I'm using effective insulin. It just blows my mind about how much it cost in America.

[@PH_1964]

Diabetes and other endocrine conditions run in my family and insulin, thyroxine etc are viewed as life saving drugs and are free on the NHS in UK. So I was really shocked to be charged when I moved to Australia. It's still fantastic to have a public system though. Conditions are assessed and prioritised. The only thing I worry about is Ambulances are not free (but don't have insurance) as in UK but at least they're not taken for granted and used as taxis here 🇦🇺

[@tayb4812]

@michelej4292 yeah I think Insulin should be free, because you literally can't go without it. Luckily it is cheap enough, test strip's used to be expensive to, becuase they were considered 'optional' to treatment. They've started heavily subsidising them recently though, which is good.

[@leannewith3]

@@PH_1964you can get Ambulance cover in Victoria, which is just like having insurance for an ambulance trip. Every state is different but all have something to cover the cost.

[@bryanbartlett5637]

@@PH_1964 Move to Queensland. We pay a Ambulance/Fire Brigade Surcharge as part of our Rates (and covered by your landlords rates if you renting) so if you ever need an ambulance, no out of pocket cost

[@peterecato2576]

There is another system within the health care system. I was in the ARMY in my younger days and sustained some injuries and now I have a DVA (Department of Veteran Affairs) Gold Card and All my heath needs and requirements are paid for by the Government, my Medicines are at pension rates or free.

[@grahamvermish5955]

In Australia we have govt funded heathcare and if you are injured at work, you are covered by govt legislated insurance or in a car accident by govt insurance too called TAC. You don't really need private insurance unless you want choice of Dr or elective surgery.

[@inalarose7875]

As an Aussie I've never been to a doctor who doesn't bulk bill but that may be partly due to not living in wealthy suburbs where they just charge more for everything because people have higher incomes etc. But a few years ago I got bitten by a spider, after a free visit to my doctor he prescribed some antibiotics (at a nominal cost) which didn't stop the spread of the swelling in my hand and arm. So after two days he wrote me a letter to take to the emergency room. My hand had swelled so much that there was no space between my thumb and finger - I look at my hand now and still can't believe that happened. I was at the hospital all afternoon because there were various real life and death emergencies happening, but they gave me lunch while I waited. My main concern was that they might admit me to give me more powerful meds and I really didn't want that, I just wanted to go home. Fortunately, they decided I could be treated at home, so they put in a cannula and sent me home with a bag full of high dose antibiotic vials. And then twice a day a community nurse would come and put me on a drip for the antibiotics. That lasted about 10 days. And the only cost was the original pills from my doctor, everything else was free - everything.

[@MrReallogs]

As an aussie as well i was born 12 weeks premature, have diabetes, have had 5 brain haemorrhages, spent a looooong time in hospita land arent out of pocket other than medications, which are subsidised some i get for free because im on a pension. If i was born in america id be dead.

[@Bellas1717]

Antivenom for the toxin in the bite, but antibiotics for a bacterial infection at the site.

[@bronwyn6415]

I live in an area that is not rolling in money, unless you are on a pension you have to pay a fee to see most GP's. I recently had a biopsy done and had to pay for the anesthetic and dressings, no wonder so many people go to emergency if everything free.

[@catmeow11111]

Same here, never had to pay for a GP in my area. But I did have to pay $30 to see a GP when I travelled to Melbourne.

[@thalassophile1665]

@@catmeow11111I live in a relatively small town, all the doctors who bulk bill have closed their books due to demand. That leaves us with paying $80 for a GP visit.

[@fionadhu5137]

As the mother of a teenager who battled cancer in Australia I have praise for Medicare, medical staff who offer great service with poor funding and not enough staff. I am now an older person who has needed to rely on the public system and knowing my costs will be met due to my financial situation is a huge relief.

[@paulphotios3920]

In Australia the private system deals well with simple problems. You need this then we I'll fix it. Patients with complex problems get pushed onto the public system as they are not profitable. If you are over weight, have heart problems and breathing problems then the private system will be reluctant to treat for anything like a crook ACL or hip replacement. Well doctors get paid really well compared to those in Australia. We get many UK doctors escaping the low wages in the UK. There is a lot more dying all the numbers quoted but us Aussies go to the doctor when we need to and they look after us.

[@FredPilcher]

Well said, Ryan - if governments aren't there to provide basic services like health care, what are they for?

[@pavlova717]

Umm, to defend our liberties? Why assume a nanny state mindset?

[@frasermacdonald6614]

Canuck permanent resident in Australia, have been living down under for many years. My 13 year old went into cardiac arrest at school 2 years ago, turns out she had an undiagnosed, life threatening genetic condition. Barely made it to the Emergency, we were in hospital for 6 weeks, with a world-class cardiology team taking care of her, along with genetic researchers (fast-tracked genetic profiling took 3 days to get results) and psychological support. Followed up with a round of surgery to mitigate her condition, and monthly appointments with Cardiology to review her progress. They saved her life, absolutely no question about it... Thanks to the Australian healthcare system, the cost to our family was $0. Wake up America, you don't have to live like this...

[@geraldinegaynor1360]

I worked as an assessor for a private health fund for a while. You have to go by a manual produced by the Government. Each item is given a number (. Ie. hysterectomy. Appendicectomy.) You look up that number. On one side is the amount that the Government will pay and on the other side is the amount that the Health Fund must pay. They can pay more if they want but not less Han is stipulated in the manual Therefore you don’t have Funds quibbling over how much to pay the customer. The manual is a legal document.

[@jarrahgreensill2752]

My dad was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2019. He had never had any previous health conditions. Within a matter of weeks he was diagnosed, operated on & back home recovering with not ONE SINGLE cent spent. It was entirely free within our healthcare system. He had no cover, this was all through public health. Our system is amazing. 🇦🇺

[@FatTurTleMusic]

I migrated to Australia from the USA 30+ years ago! The Australian healthcare system is absolutely amazing! You get sick and go to the Dr/hospital - the end! No insane bills to pay! Truly the luckiest country! Last time I checked 1 in 4 bankruptcies in America were caused by Medical debt!! 😡 Let that sink in! Oh and if you EVER plan a holiday to the US make bloody sure you have medical insurance! 😳

[@rais1953]

Yes some years ago our son visited the US twice in two years and we made sure he had travel insurance that would cover any hospital treatment. But you need to do that if you visit Australia too. Medicare is only for citizens and permanent residents. Public hospitals will treat an uninsured visitor but they'll send a bill.

[@johncoops6897]

My elderly mother took a vacation this year from AU to the Northern US and Canada. She was on a boat going to Alaska and needed to see the doctor about a cough, so a standard 15 minute consultation. . The bill (paid on the spot) was over USD $500 (AUD $800). We are STILL fighting with the Travel Insurance to be reimbursed, and she had paid for "full coverage".

[@rais1953]

@@johncoops6897 For non Australian readers a standard consultation in Australia if your doctor doesn't bill Medicare is around $A70. That's about $US45.

[@johncoops6897]

@@rais1953 - yeah, but that's very rare and almost all doctors process it through Medicare using HICAPS. Even if they don't, the patient just walks into the Medicare offices (perhaps use the App?), fills out the form and gets the full refund later. So, aside from a delay until it's claimed, it's free no matter what.

[@liandren]

​@rais1953 last time I looked, you paid $60 at the cashier if you didn't have medicare.

[@ranahooke1907]

My daughter was unexpectedly born with a congenital heart defect. We spent weeks in hospital, multiple heart surgeries, ICU, etc. I had no health insurance. It cost me $0. Actually, I lie. I had to pay for parking. There was no waiting for months. If it’s an emergency, you get treated immediately and for free in the public system. Chronic illness is more tricky in our public system. We can see our GP whenever we like.. but for specialists, there are long wait times when things aren’t an emergency.

[@ryant2568]

No argument here, the public system is fantastic when it comes to emergency issues. Where it falls over is on less life-threatening issues. As an example: My mother-in-law spent over a year on the public waiting list for a new knee. My wife also needed a knee reconstruction earlier this year (she spent years playing netball professionally) We have top-level private health cover, from the moment her specialist knew she needed a knee reconstruction to when it was done was about a month.

[@marydotjpeg]

yup chronic illness things take forever even if our quality of life sucks while we get worse waiting for specialists 🫠

[@sorinwood_6189]

A mood, it's always the the parking that gets you lmao

[@karenglenn6707]

If I need to see a specialist, I go to see them privately and pay, then get booked in for whatever procedure I’m having done, and the rest is covered by Medicare. So I pay the gap for the initial consultation and avoid having the long wait for that appointment using the public system. Works really well for us.

[@marydotjpeg]

@@karenglenn6707 I'm going private and even then I'm on the crux of waiting months but I'm not in a major city so I don't have much options 💀

[@ladydee396]

I’m watching this from hospital, laying in bed waiting for surgery. I’m in Melbourne Australia and have never had private health insurance. The past few days I’ve had an ECG, angiogram, multiple blood tests, scans etc to find out my chest pain is coming from my gallbladder. Even though they suspected it was my gallbladder they wanted to rule out any other issues, so I’ve had a full health checkup. I’ve been here 3 days so far and hoping to have my surgery tomorrow. The nurses are amazing, I’m cared for to a high standard, they’re always bring me things to make my stay comfortable, all my meals are provided. The cost for this will be zero dollars, zero cents. Yes we do pay for it in our taxes but it’s cheaper than private health and no risk of financial ruin, I don’t think our taxes are high for all the benefits we receive. This country is amazing, best in the world ❤

[@mjyanimations1062]

Wish you a speedy recovery!

[@ladydee396]

@@mjyanimations1062 thank you ☺️

[@quantumjank3091]

Wishing you a speedy recovery also mate! myjanimations1062 took the words out of my mouth. Sounds rough hope you're getting the good stuff pain relief wise till then.

[@davidbarlow6860]

Get better lady.

[@MaryRaine929]

Get well soon! 😊

[@michellerussell3056]

Re doctor charging above the the Medicare rate...I have NEVER seen a doctor in private charging the Medicare rate. And yes, you go to those doctors. If you have private healthcare coverage, what you are essentially paying for is access. The doctors always charge significantly more than the Medicare rate.. So it's offset by your insurance and your copay (or your out of pocket gap). many doctors practice in both private and public hospitals. But you're paying for access! So you may get the same doctor (after a LONG wait) in public as you would in private (much more quickly, but at a premium). But you will never go bankrupt if you need medical coverage. It's so much more humane here.

[@harrypsaunders]

I live in Australia and my sister lives in Texas, with her kids. She has to think twice about going to the doctor or dentist for herself as she'd rather save the money for her kids to go. We're both from the UK originally, and find it mental the amount you spend on simple things like Inhalers for Asthma, for example.

[@artyismybae]

Our healthcare system is really good in Australia 🇦🇺. I have a chronic disease and see a neurologist for free. Get Plamsa infusions every two weeks for free. These cost thousands of dollars in America.

[@CateB66]

Where in Oz are you to get free neurologist please ? I’m now on a disability, I see a neurosurgeon regularly and still pay. I do get the Medicare rebate but it’s still costly. I’m meant to see a neurologist but have been quoted up to $500 for a visit with a rebate, which makes it out of my financial possibility so not going.

[@oakfat5178]

@@CateB66 If you get referred to a specialist who bulk bills patients, it's free. It's an ethics decision for the Dr. Those who feel that no matter how poor you are, it's immoral to get treatment without paying something choose not to bulk bill any patients. If you've never been poor, it might be hard to realise what it's like, and a lot of doctors go straight from expensive private school to expensive uni course, to expensive house and car.

[@CateB66]

@@oakfat5178 I’m a single, 57yr old mum who rents. I’ve been poor all my life. I see a bulk billing GP but the specialists, I have to pay. I used to have cortisone injections in my neck and spine, which were free. Now, the ones in the neck are $970 with $450 back so I no longer have that treatment. Only one hospital does MRIs for free now, the rest you have to pay. I’m struggling with the bills but have now been referred to a cerebrovascular specialist, which is even more money. Money I simply don’t have. I needed to see the neuro to determine if the white markers on the brain from a MRI I had are onset dementia or MS. I’ve had mini TIAs with a family history of stroke and yet can’t afford to find out. Stressful to say the least.

[@paulinegray6447]

@@CateB66 I’m in NSW and see a Neurologist at Liverpool Hospital for free he manages my Migraines and also my Epilepsy

[@CateB66]

@@paulinegray6447 I’m QLD. Going to try phoning around again tomorrow and see if there’s somewhere that offers bulk billing because I’m desperate right now. Thank you and all the best

[@lukejohnson8255]

I'm an Aussie that back in 2020 had a health scare and was hospitalised with a brain tumour, spent about 3 weeks in hospital, had surgery to remove the tumour and then a few follow up MRI's each year. I've never paid a single cent for any of it out of pocket. The only charge I ever saw was for the anaesthetist, but that was covered by my tax return, so nothing for me to pay. I'm so happy to know if any major happens, I'm covered, even if I have to pay to see my GP, I'm still happy to know larger more serious things are covered for me.

[@cherylemaybury9967]

I’m 67 and still have private insurance because I use it for glasses, dental, regular remedial massage, osteopath treatments and have the ability to choose my doctor and go to a private hospital. When I had a serious illness earlier this year I was taken to the public hospital by ambulance and treated immediately. I was admitted to hospital in a private room for 7 days and received the best care possible. It cost me nothing, didn’t even get a bill. I have always received the best care and have no complaints about our healthcare system. I have so many medications that I have been receiving free prescriptions since June because we have government subsidies on our medications as well and we have a limit for what we must spend. Once you reach the safety net amount then the prescriptions are free for the rest of the year. 😊 My private insurance costs me $128 per month but every 6 months they give me money back for not using enough benefits.

[@Aussea7]

Can I ask which insurance offers this?

[@xenxike500]

Which insurance is this please????

[@bronwyn6415]

WOW! your lucky, wish mine did.

[@mjkelly9801]

Which company pls, I've never heard of this😊

[@DrumminDag92]

Basically if you don't have the means, the public system here is lengthy but free. If you have the money you can pay more to get better service essentially. Better doctors, better hostpitals, less wait time and more access to post op therapy. I pay about $84USD per month for basic cover for me and my wife, but can easily pay up to $300USD per month for full coverage depending on pre-existing conditions. There is also a thing part of the system called the Medicare levy surcharge. For those earning over 90k AUD or couples over 180k AUD annual income, get charged a certain amount (scaling with pay) on their taxes. If they get basic private health insurance they don't get charged the Medicare levy. The idea is to make the people who earn a lot go to the private system and make the public system more accessible to those who can't afford it. Everyone here always complains, but at the end of the day, I can go see a doctor for any issue and not worry about if I can afford it. One of those situations where three's always something to complain about, but when you look at it from USA perspective, we are grateful to not have to stress about going bankrupt to receive treatment.

[@benreid7567]

As an Australian I am so glad we have a health care system full of dedicated and professional people. I had open heart surgery in 2019, and have had numerous hospital visits since. I gladly pay tax to have such a good health care system full of dedicated, professional caring people. The standard of care I have received in 7 different hospitals has been excellent and the people working there have all been fantastic. The surgeons were all friendly and professional and just wanted to help you. Fantastic people all round.

[@AllysonCornish]

I have Australian Private Health Insurance and in 2016 was diagnosed with a base of skull Brain Tumor. I was told that I would have a 8 month wait to have the surgery under the public system. 2 weeks after my diagnosis I was on the table in a Private hospital with the Doctors (One Neurosurgon and One Ear Nose and Throat Surgon) The delay of two weeks was due to the Doctors Schedules Lining up. I will never not have PHI.

[@carokat1111]

I feel the same way ad I can afford it. I’m 60 now. But i had no private cover before I turned 40.

[@KAJAMAJA122]

Same experience . Needed an urgent Endoscope , they oohed and ahhed and said there was a 12 months waiting list in the public system . Explained I had private health cover and I was on the table in a private hospital within 24 hours . The public system might sound great but once you become elderly u are downgraded to very low priority , a 12 plus hour wait in emergency is not unusual .

[@carrie5490]

Unfortunately they’ve made new access to private health so expensive now that younger families can’t afford it. So there aren’t enough younger people paying in anymore. That’s why there is such an issue now in private hospitals as they may end up closing their doors as their budgets are in the red all the time. I work for a private hospital and we are always on tenterhooks as our jobs aren’t secure. I wonder what/if the gov will do anything to stop the fall of the private systems?

[@rustygrigg]

I have worked in the Australian healthcare for last 20 yrs, although not perfect it’s pretty darn good and it’s free in Queensland

[@Dr_KAP]

It’s free in Australia 😂

[@theDataStudent]

@@Dr_KAP not all aspects of healthcare are free between states, for example, ambulances do cost money per call out in NSW and for NSW residents in other states. Something that is not covered by medicare. However a QLD resident does not have to pay for ambulances in Queensland or interstate, as its covered by the state government.

[@Dr_KAP]

@@theDataStudent I know 😆

[@adammidson3135]

I am very happy with the health care here in Australia. I’ve had treatment for a chainsaw ripping my right shoulder open and it was free, this includes 10 days worth of drugs for pain relief. The few times I’ve been to hospital, I have been happy with the service. I have never parted with money other than my taxes, which is 2% of my taxable income.

[@hellodistinguishedgentlema2766]

It's like schooling everyone is entitled to go to school everyone is intitled to healthcare but if you want the best, you pay you can get better teachers/doctors and you get to expedite your care. My dad had a knee replacement last year. The doctor said it needs to be done NOW it would have cost him $35,000 to get it done in a private hospital (without insurance) he could have had the same surgery on the public system for free with a 9-12 month wait list he got it done within 1 month on private for $1,500 out of pocket. you’re paying for the expedite service but because private and public hospitals are literally independent facilities like public and private schools it's not like your queue jumping.

[@tillyslack3009]

I had my pregnancy through the Australian public system. I had a midwife assigned to me who I saw once a month, then once a week closer to my due date. I had a complicated labour that need to have 2 obstetricians called in after hours, and I spent a week in hospital with my baby afterwards, during which they spent 3 days in a specialised light bed. I didn’t have a single out of pocket expense, my entire experience cost me $0 in medical bills.

[@Awesome14450]

$0?!! You got ripped off. They payed us $8k for two. And we still got to keep them. Jokes aside, we have a similar story. Straya!

[@Freestyle80]

@@Awesome14450you do get paid for certain expenses when you have a child it depends on your income

[@SummersChokeHold]

Same! I had my midwife who I saw once a month, then around 26 weeks diagnosed with gestational diabetes so changed care teams to seeing a OB every 2 weeks, until birth. Got induced, gave birth with 2 doctors and 2 midwives present, private room with myself and baby (husband staying on a pull out lounge chair) for a 3 night stay with nurses checking in every 2 hours, I was trying to breastfeed so I got a lactation specialist who stopped by I think 2 times a day from memory. A doctor checked in daily to check stitches. Also get given a bag of free things (swaddle, baby sleep bag, a few books, change mat, wipes, etc. + the bag itself being a nice baby bag). ALL that for free. The only thing I paid for was insulin (which was like 8 boxes of 5 lots each, I only used I think 3 individual ones) for $20 for the bunch, trying to donate the leftover ones, needles for insulin injector and strips for the blood sugar tester. Got the blood sugar tester for free with a bunch of needles and I think 10 strips to give time for me to buy my own.

[@doglegfarm4584]

My husband was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2010. He was sent for more tests and had lifesaving surgery within 2 weeks of diagnosis. His follow-up treatment and ongoing yearly tests were all free. I can't imagine what it would have been like in the US. We have an issue with wait times but that's only for non-life threatening illnesses. If it's life threatening like cancer, they treat you immediately and you receive the same care a private patient would. 🙏 🇦🇺

[@kiku-goldenflower7731]

I wish medicare included dental but other than that I'm pretty happy with our health care system. It's worth mentioning I'm very low income.

[@jj-if6it]

Agree, it should include dental

[@carmattvidz4426]

Australia healthcare is funny. Been a low income is not the worse place to be. I have fallen into not low income and not high income. So for things like dental I cannot access the public dental clinics. They turn me away regardless on my need of care. The problem is I do not have the money to access the private dentists. So many Australians are too wealthy for the public dental clinics and too poor for the private dentist. This means so many people have no access to care. In a way it's better to be on a low income or welfare payment because you can access those services.

[@LukeXMV]

I agree. But like with any other social benefits Australia is way behind other countries. Be patient.

[@gmalexander722]

I'm an American expat in OZ since 2003 and am now 74 years old. In those 20 years my private health insurance premiums have increased from $90 to $120.

[@maeri-jodavey2892]

Australian here. We like our system but we worry that heading down the same path as the US. I've had two children. The first was born in a Private Hospital and we had a Gap Fee of about $3000 AUD. The second was born in a Public Hospital and we just had to pay for parking. Both children spent time in the NICU, and the main difference with the Private Hospital was that my husband could stay at the hospital and our room was very similar to a hotel room, including having a mechanical Queen size bed. I wear glasses, and medicare pays for my eye tests, but my Health Insurance and I pay for my glasses

[@keyojack2010]

Aus here. My wife got S2 cervical cancer, public system found it, did all the tests, had the operation and cleared her within 6months. We didn't pay a cent.. Medicare in aus is amazing. 10years ago nobody needed private health cover here, 20 years ago all doctors were free bulk billed mostly. But commercial interest in pvt health have lobbied hard and out system is starting to errode. By comparison to the US what we have now is great, but, compared to what we once had is upsetting. I see a future where aus health care continues to degrade until its indistinguishable to the US.

[@sianprice7210]

Dear God, I hope you’re wrong. 🥲

[@bernadettehogan6434]

Yeah I’m. Worried for my children’s future

[@paulwhillas6494]

I am 72. I had serious heart problems from the age of 50. From the time I was diagnosed as having a chronic condition, I have paid nothing for medical expenses. No doctors fees No hospital fees.( Despite 7 weeks in a private room in one of the best hispitals in the world) Even most scans etc., are free. All scripts cost about $6, but I hit the safety net limit around May, and then get free prescription medicines for the rest of the year. I can get into the local doctor almost immediately for urgent needs with about weeks wait for non urgent or routine consults. My only concern is non urgent surgery. My wife has waited a year for a hip replacement and been in great pain and almost immobile all that time. Hopefully it will be done in January, a year after she was put on the waiting list. Like everything else, it will all be completely free.

[@billdaniel8310]

Here in Australia our prescriptions for medication is also government subsidised, so we do not pay excessive fees for a script, usually about $5 - $10 and if you reach over $800 within a year, for the rest of the year the scripts are free.

[@mareebrown-e3n]

Because we are an elderly couple, taking a lot of medications, we reached the safety net threshold in April. For the rest of the year our prescriptions are free.

[@quantumjank3091]

The PBS system also gets a 'bulk' discount on their approved medications. There's a lot going on behind the scenes to make all that work but in someways sadly Americans actually subsidise the PBS because they cop the unbridled cost of medication development and approvals. Here in Aus we just sit back and go "Okay cool that medication works to our standards for 'x' condition, if they want to give us a good price on it we'll include it on the PBS if not we'll go with a medication that still treats 'x' condition to a minimum standard but for less" So the PBS is complicated but it makes the drug companies show us how cheaply they can produce and supply things. It's a reverse auction where the lowest bidder to treat a condition to the standards set out or exceed them wins.

[@heather3303]

I’m Australian - I know if I need help fast I’ll get it. That’s what our taxes are for

[@adem6371]

We pay more for services if we earn enough to pay for private healthcare but don’t buy it. No, you don’t need to get private healthcare before 30 years old, the discount for doing so is just an incentive. See, we’re okay whatever we choose here- you’ll get excellent care whatever you do. There will be wait times for non urgent care however if you don’t have private insurance. You have to keep in mind our healthcare costs are much much lower because of the way our healthcare system is run, including our government setting limits on prices of medications - subsidising ir doing deals with pharma companies for low prescription rates in exchange for market access. There was a famous quote- that I can’t think of or find- that a health issue shouldn’t bankrupt you, so we brought in universal coverage. As you saw it actually saves a lot of money. I have chronic health issues that would’ve financially ruined me (not to mention my quality of life), and so I can contribute economically (and otherwise!) to society. I’ve also had preventative cancer treatment (including plastic surgery reconstruction) because I was able to be genetically tested, due to familial cancer, and have that covered by Medicare. I’m in worldwide social media groups and know many people have suffered or died for lack of treatment that I have had. Or, it’s financially ruined their family and the future prospects of their children. We catch issues quickly or before they happen, from a purely economic rationalism point of view- it saves big bucks. From a humanitarian point of view your building lives and saving people from trauma. Our system is far from perfect, but a lot of people fear living in the US for two main reasons, and this is one of them.

[@annettepenny8363]

My 35 year old son was born with a severe heart defect. We have never paid a cent for his treatment. As a young baby he had two open heart surgeries. Medicare even flew my husband and I and our son to another state for his surgery. They paid our flights, hotels, food etc for two weeks. My son had another open heart surgery later and has just had a heart and double lung transplant recently. They even pay for his medication which is roughly AU$6000 per month. The doctors and nurses have all been fantastic. All doctors in our public and private services are first rate. If you are born with a heart condition here you will always be treated free of charge.

[@topsyfulwell]

The thing is when you're diagnosed with a chronic health condition/disability, public health manages your clinic appointments for the rest of your life. My neurologist treats my epilepsy and has done for 20 years. I get periodic MRI's. Last one showed 3 aneurysms in my brain. Within 6 weeks I underwent surgery. Now I'm scheduled for an MRI every two years. I only have one kidney so the renal clinic takes care of all my function tests. Everything free and I'm released from the burden of making these appointments myself. I've no need at all for private health.

[@njsmkmmsthatsit3518]

I think it might be different depending on the state you live in. I am chronically ill and considered disabled and live in country NSW. I have had surgery in 3 different states, only VIC manages my appts.

[@ryant2568]

@@njsmkmmsthatsit3518 personally I am a kidney transplant patient in Sydney (had my transplant about 30 years ago) and all my stuff gets managed for me. I have the renal team call me up to book appointments, check my medication levels etc.... and have for as long as I can remember.

[@michaelfink64]

Hi Ryan, Medicare is universal health coverage in Australia. Even people who choose to buy private insurance (about 45% of the population) also have Medicare. If you go to a private hospital, Medicare will pay for part of the cost and insurance will pay for the rest (if you have decent insurance). The government encourages people to take up health insurance because it reduces the burden on the public hospital system. That is why they have a carrot (paying for a portion of your health insurance cost) and stick (Medicare surcharge for people who do not buy private health insurance and who earn more than AUD93k as a single or AUD186k as a family).

[@vk3hsc655]

private insurance almost NEVER pays ALL of the Gap between Hospital "Hotel" fees, Specialists' fee, pathology, imaging etc vs Medicare rebate, even on Top Level covers. I work in the industry - and that's just a marketing ploy.

[@AnimeReference]

I'd love to know the percentage of people with private health insurance, not including extras, that have actually made a claim. From what I hear everyone is buying 0 coverage plans to avoid the stick.

[@Feargal011]

The other major (and I mean MAJOR) difference between the US and Australia is our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This is a schedule of life saving or essential or at least important medicines and treatments. The Australian government runs the scheme that relies on high level medical advice as to essential medications then imposes a cost ceiling on medication. Many essential medicines are cost limited to maximum $30 AUD ($23 US) for standard patients or $7.30 AUD ($4 US) for people on a concession card (eg. pensioners). US medicine costs are typically 4x higher and may be completely out of reach for those most needing them. The PBS is more limited than the US system but is far fairer and less likely to be influenced by Big Pharma (yes, I said it) to push up medicine costs,

[@kerryt.2026]

I have Crohns disease, l have had two surgeries and with that, scans, MRAs, colonoscopies, etc etc. I originally went in as a public patient as it was an emergency situation and have never paid anything. My ongoing care is covered by Medicare. I have regular out patient appointments and drugs which are subsidised by the PBS.

[@alexandlynnward6651]

I’m an Aussie nurse, worked at a public hospital for almost 30 years, and have never had private health insurance. I’ve got long COVID and have had to pay the gap between the Medicare payment and provider fee for tests and specialist reviews, which has totalled around $2500. I’m still way ahead.

[@warwickruse2556]

you have made a sensible allocation of your own funds to pay your own gaps. those who can't / don't have to compete with those wanting all services (health, education, security etc etc) to be from the govt. they can be high quality OR available rapidly OR low cost. Pick any 2!

[@ryant2568]

there are only 2 reasons to get private health insurance: - First is the wait times on non-threatening issues. As you would know as a nurse the wait on things like seeing specialists or having non-life-threatening surgery (like a knee reconstruction) can be VARY long in the public system. - The second is the Medicare rebate. because the Medicare levy is a % of income, once you earn above a certain income level having private health insurance is basically a no-brainer.

[@peter65zzfdfh]

⁠@@warwickruse2556the gap is typically waived for those that can’t afford it (children, pensioners, the unemployed and disabled). Early affordable care actually produces better outcomes for less total cost. It’s much cheaper to get someone in for taxpayer funded early care than to have to repeatedly resuscitate them at a hospital because they’re dying of something that could have been easily cured years ago if the government (taxpayers) had just paid for it then instead of trying to save a buck for a worse outcome. Ultimately denying the country a future taxpayer when they end up dead or disabled (which may force a relative to also give up work to help them). Healthcare isn’t one of those where you choose good or cheap. There’s a definite curve where better is cheaper, to a point.

[@ness3110]

Ive never had private healthcare and my perspective is very positive my biggest outlay was a total of about $1000 when my son had a heart condition and needed surgery and I opted to go to a private specialist to beat public health wait times. He also worked provisionally in a public hospital so I got the cost benefit of that just had several consultations with cardiologist and Electrocardiologist to pay for and a payment for his private anaesthetist plus parking on the day of procedure. General Drs appointments cost me $75 and I get about $40 refund. Script costs for most common medications are regulated to prevent the big pharma extortion America experiences, low income get a subsidy making them even more affordable. Have had 4 babies several emergent surgeries and multiple hospital visits with the kids over the years and for all those its only ever cost the parking fee. I feel for Americans when it comes to healthcare

[@quantumjank3091]

Nicely played on your Son's surgery the public/private specialists are real heroes IMO. As in they'll do that Private charge upfront but then get you front of line for a public surgery room if the condition warrants that. Anaesthetists seem to never be covered under Private but even when it's $1,500 out of a total of 10,000+ for surgery it doesn't make me salty. I have heard of anaesthetists working 12 hour weeks on over $200k a year in Aus.. they're like the "Commander" of the Operating Theatre so even if 99.9% of the time things go smoothly that 1 in a thousand time it doesn't is on them so they do need to be well compensated for that stress and ability to monitor everything else going on.

[@melissaschneider7955]

One thing I think that needs to change in both countries is the privatisation of healthcare… When healthcare is dependent on a company operated for profit, patients and staff are the ones that suffer… Our staff shortages and time it takes to access care is impeded by companies wanting to make more money…

[@Bellas1717]

We are also lucky that we have not-for-profit health insurance providers as options.

[@vvvbbbbcccc]

My great grandson is currently being treated for leukemia. He's spent over 100 days in hospital, had over 7 blood transfusions, several biopsies,chemo, and other medicines that are extremely expensive. He's had 3 ambulance trips, home nurse visits and still goes in every 2 weeks for blood tests. I would imagine that his total bills would be well and truly over $250000. Cost to his parents...ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. They do not have private heath insurance. Their only outlay has been $30 a month for hospital parking.

[@mossie1954]

10:02 So I went to my G.P. and he said make an appointment to see our specialist who comes every 3 weeks for free!... Great, but after seeing her...she said she could do the procedure in the doctor's office, but bring a few hundred dollars with me? Now this is not really the norm. So, I did not go back to her. I went to another doctor later in that doctor's office, and she put me in a category 1. This means that the doctors at the Local Hospital need to bump me up on the list and that I can see them within 30 days. In all my days of seeing doctors in Australia, none have ever said to bring money with you. I also said well if I pay for it...I can claim a good part back with Medicare. That doctor said no? Which is also another reason I had not gone back to her. That also is not the norm. There are doctors who do things 1 way, and 99% do it the universal way. That's how life is, some may try and make a quick $. But it is not anything I have ever come across before.

[@nickvandernet]

I'm more conservative than almost any other Aussie, and even I'm a fan of universal health care. How America doesn't have this, blows my mind!

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Lol what does being a Conservative have to do with liking or disliking a healthcare system that benefits all people. I'm not getting your logic here.

[@johnl6176]

@@dcmastermindfirst9418 Conservatives, in general, think that market forces should decide what has value in the market. Nick here understands that healthcare doesn't belong in the market. It's something.

[@nataliecarrington2550]

@@dcmastermindfirst9418 I think it's because conservatives tend to want the government to be very hands-off, and universal healthcare is not hands-off.

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

@@johnl6176 Why doesn't healthcare belong in the market?

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

@nataliecarrington2550 Lol well that's silly 50s thinking. The Government should serve the people..

[@kerrypapworth1526]

My Mum didn’t have private health insurance and during her 8 month cancer battle in which she was so beautifully looked after, she didn’t pay a cent. Her GP visits were also free all of her life. You still get choice of GP’S but not specialists. We can also choose to have hospital only cover or extras only cover which covers things like chiropractic, Physiotherapy etc or you can have both.

[@Sooz007-l3b]

I think you can ask for a referral to a particular specialist from your doctor. If they work privately you have to pay, but many of them work in both the public and private sector. You may have a wait if you want to see them in a public hospital or clinic.

[@veronikataf5206]

In Australia we can get, if you are over 50 years old, free bowel cancer screening every 2 years and if you're a woman you can get free breast cancer screening every 2 years as well PAP smears. Also vaccinations for most diseases are free at particular ages. I personally have had 6 covid vaccinations since that became a problem and can have one every 6 months for the rest of my life.

[@fly3ss]

My dad had a heart attack. Ambulance to hospital, had a stent put in, stay in the hospital, walked out and didn’t pay anything. He’s also diabetic, pays something like $50 every couple of months for his insulin. You can do better America. Wake up.

[@susan5822]

I’ve had 2 heart attacks. Both had angiography. Public hospital - no cost. Private $500 out of pocket

[@lillibitjohnson7293]

That woman was wrong about waiting to find out if you have cancer……. If you’re worried about something they’ll send you for a blood test, straight away, if you need a scan they’ll send you for that, no waiting. If they find a cancer you’ll be scheduled as fast as possible or needed depending on the type of cancer it is. Also after 50, every person gets sent a bowel cancer test kit evry two years. Our system is based on prevention or catching early .

[@oakfat5178]

a) "that woman" is Dr Elizabeth Bates, so she probably has some experience with variations in wait times. b) Delays will vary from case to case and doctor to doctor. There are so many variables, it's just wishful thinking to think that delays don't happen. Generalisations are rarely always true.

[@lillibitjohnson7293]

@@herctwenty11 nothing to do with a GP, they send it to your Medicare home address. Maybe you need to update your address. Idk but I’ve always gotten them every 2 years

[@lillibitjohnson7293]

@@herctwenty11 lmao you sound triggered and delusional all at once. Nothing to do with your colour. Just send myGov Medicare a message and ask why? There’s no friggen conspiracy happening geesh .

[@lillibitjohnson7293]

@@oakfat5178 tests don’t have wait times ffs . Treatment times my vary due to triage. Unless some states don’t fund their bloody hospitals properly. Idk I’ve never had a problem getting tests. It non life threatening stuff that are on waiting lists.

[@chibalearns40]

​@herctwenty11 I would go ask why. My dad had his and we made him go do the test. Caught his cancer early and luckily he is still with us and cancer free. Please don't let the system forget you.❤

[@fauxtography1018]

My father was a quadraplegic who was in and out of hospital for the last 33 years of his life. He was covered by insurance, but it seldom made much of a difference if any. Sometimes he'd get a private room in a private hospital, which was nice, but the trade off was that there were less staff there. When things were more serous he was sent to public hospitals. We need more doctors in rural areas, but overall I'm proud of our public health system.

[@joools1953]

My husband was a quad and we never had private health insurance because he couldn't get treated privately even if he wanted to.

[@fauxtography1018]

Yeah, there really is very little benefit, if any, when it comes to serious issues. We only had private health cover because dad's was workers compensation. I remember feeling especially lucky to be in Australia when dad was met by the leading expert in the Southern Hemisphere when he got to hospital on the day of his accident. That was a public hospital. His cover made no difference. We just have amazing doctors in the public system anyway.

[@GregPolkinghorne]

For some clarification as an Australian doctor. Our life expectancy is better, but Americans often say it's because of obesity, smoking, alcohol etc. Lifestyle choices is why the USA lags. But Australia is very fat. We smoke a fair amount, and drink a lot. We are quite sedentary but I believe better than the USA. We eat a lot of crap, but our food quality and safety standards are in general better than the USA. Seeing doctors in Australia, a lot work in the public and private system. Wait times in public for non critical issues can be long. My haematology clinic in public health would have no wait for urgent things like blood cancers. But we were so stretched with those that less urgent issues could wait a long time or never be seen. My private haematology clinic has at most about a 4 week wait. Often seen in a week. My private clinic is "bulk billed" which means we only bill the government, not the patient. But most private clinics will have an out of pocket cost. The previous private clinic I worked was about $140 out of pocket to the patient for a 45min appointment with me. In general, I think our health care system is extremely good. I think it strikes a pretty good balance between offering a quality affordable system for patients but also remunerating health care staff quite well. There are a lot of cracks showing though. Particularly after a decade of conservative government rule. Access to timely and affordable primary care has been a real issue in recent years. Also dental isn't covered pretty much at all. Like the USA, teeth are luxury bones.

[@paulgdunsford7469]

And gun deaths

[@belindahutchinson5333]

Different doctors charge different prices for bulk billing. A lot of doctors don't like to send you for tests as it is expensive. However I have an excellent Doctor whom sometimes won't charge me at all. I pay the gap because I am so appreciative of her kindness and expertise.

[@oakfat5178]

@@paulgdunsford7469 Yes "Life expectancy" is the average age that the population lives to/dies at. Gun deaths killing a lot of younger people means many gun death lower the average to a greater extent than the age people die from obesity. diabetes etc

[@oakfat5178]

@@belindahutchinson5333 Bulk bill refund is set by the govt at fixed amounts but the amount varies for different treatments. Doctors choose how much gap fee to charge.

[@warwickruse2556]

​@@oakfat5178doc here. Bulkbilling means no further charge to patient. Doc takes 85% of a "common fee" in total payment. Expenses ( rent, staff wages , disposable medical gear) have to be paid first. So, charging the full common fee means $100 practice income, $50 in Expenses, $50 to doc pocket, minus bad debts. Bulkbilling means less admin costs, no bad debts, no cut in staff, $ 35 in doc pock. that's bearable for a quiet life. The govt (s) completely froze the common fee for about 8 years. the$ 50 Expenses rose by say 2% annually, so Expenses were now $58. $85 - $58 leaves $27, not $ 35. it's surprising that bulkbilling continued at all.

[@mrspeabody3128]

in the last 14 years I have had hysterectomy ..gall bladder removal ..thyroid surgery ..kidney stone surgery( I had sepsis) and it did not cost one cent in hospital bills very grateful to live where I do .Now that my husband and I are both pensioners we are also entitled to free ambulance coverage as well

[@lordandrewbruceofthemcinne5046]

Ryan, I am an Australian with major health issues. I have had a big portion of those health issues for almost 24 years. Whilst the medical service I have received hasn't been perfect (nothing ever is), for the most part, I have had very good professional service. The ONLY out-of-pocket expenses have been medication that is very heavily subsidised by the government via Medicare. I have an old yet still costly machine at home on loan from the hospital. I also get consumables for the machine delivered once a month. I get ALL of this for absolutely free. i don't pay for any of it. I even got a medical chair to sit on whilst I have my treatment for free (it was going to be thrown out anyway). I can't imagine how I would cope if I had to deal with everything I have if I lived in America. I haven't ever been treated worse because I am a non-paying patient.

[@ozzycommander]

in my life i have gone to the hosptial 9 times. from asthma, to allergies to almost losing an eye. Its cost me nothing. They had to fly in an eye doctor from South Africa that was giving a lecture in Sydney to save it. Not a cent i was charged.. my grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, mom, dad... the guy next door, his family, the crazy guy that lives on the corner. all of them can get the same healthcare as me, no more, no less. all for the low low cost of $130... that roughly what i pay a year for medicare tax

[@jackeagles1637]

I live in Perth, Western Australia. While holiday in Sydney two weeks ago I was unwell with covid. I phoned my GP in Perth - had a good phone consultation - he sent a script for anti viral medication to my mobile phone. Had medication from local pharmacy within the hour. Actual cost of the medication was $1,140. Cost to me under the government benefits scheme was $7.30. Cost of the phone consultation was $0.

[@rais1953]

My wife's doctor has an app that makes phone appointments face to face. We can see him on our phone and he can see us. And we pay nothing.

[@TheRubeeRose]

I will be 70 next year. I've never held private insurance. However I have held "optional/extra benefits" insurance for most of my life (Glasses, Dentist, Podiatry, Ambulance, and similar). Apart from that I've never paid for health care. I've worked full-time from 16 to 60. I semi-retired at 60-65. I became eligible for for the Aged Pension at 65. I have paid taxes all my working life. I expect to be healthy for the next 10+ years. For me, health care in Australia has been good.

[@UranLantanya]

As an Aussie, I am very happy with Medicare, but I do wish it was more complete; As it is, the private system syphons money, staff and easy patients away from the public system, and I think that overall health outcomes would be better if we were just fully public with all healthcare issues addressed centrally. But it is definitely much better than the American system.

[@LisaBrien]

Chronic conditions can have you spending a good amount of $$ on private specialists & ongoing medications here in Aust.. but it’s still nothing compared to what people in the US pay! Having the Medicare family safety net is great, I always reach it each year (thanks to my autoimmune diseases & seeing multiple private specialists) & it does make seeing Drs & having scans etc from then on so much more affordable for the remainder of the year 🙌🏼 The US medical system really needs a huge overhaul to make it easier on people, it’s not fair!

[@Kaonashineko]

A reminder to all my fellow Aussies to vote labor to keep our public health! I’m also someone suffering from a debilitating permanent condition with multiple neurologist appts a year, I pay $0 to see 5 different specialists and $0 for my infusion medication that is $15k a bag and expires in one day, but the liberals have been gutting our system to make it closer to americas, I had to pay for an MRI to be diagnosed because they put in legislation that unless it’s headaches or epilepsy it’s not covered by Medicare. so I ask all Aussies to please think of those of us who lost our jobs to sickness and those who just need to see their doctor and not vote for the conservatives who wish to see it all privatized! Not to mention my mother died of lung cancer and we paid nothing for her special medication as she passed, nor for the palliative care she required near the end.

[@PS-Straya_M8]

Anyone in Australia who complains about our health system hasn't travelled, even New Zealand has a far inferior system with wait times for public surgery out of control

[@chrisharris1522]

yet we have a higher life expectancy than Australians, I guess that has nothing to do with healthcare systems and is probably due to the fact that we are just better than you

[@GB-ku5tp]

​@chrisharris1522 just did a quick google and Australia's is higher than new Zealand's as of 2023

[@chrisharris1522]

@@GB-ku5tp I might be out of date, but it doesn’t change my point that out healthcare is not far inferior to theirs, they just like to think that the fact their country is a huge dessert full of iron ore to sell to China makes them somehow better than us

[@njsmkmmsthatsit3518]

@@chrisharris1522 You need to listen better Chris...According to this video on average we Aussies live 4 more years than people in the US. Though I'm sure you must be joking. Saying that the US is better than AU. According to this guy obviously you are not...

[@chrisharris1522]

@@njsmkmmsthatsit3518 actually you need to pay attention, I am from NZ and we are clearly better

[@johnbourne4025]

I live in Australia I pay around $200 per month for very good hospital cover, doctors visits cost me nothing, one surgery I had, gall bladder removal, the anesthist charged nothing extra the surgeon clipped me $500, I'm very happy with the system here.

[@debbiemohekey1509]

I use a bulk billing Doctor. Costs me nothing of course. Had a week in hospital recently, X-rays, scans, ECG, blood tests every day, choice of meals. Great prompt help whenever I needed it. Couldn't have been better. When I got home I started reading about how terrible the hospital system has gotten in my state. I think many Australians complain about things when they have no idea of how things are in other countries, and I don't mean third-world countries. Couldn't have been happier with the service I received.

[@mariannebarker795]

Im so glad to be an Australian, I’ve had 2x c-sections, 2x fractures, I see a specialist for rheumatoid arthritis, just got a MRI on my knee , go to a regular GP and it’s bulk billed (free) paid $0. We also get free breast screens and we also get bowel screening every 2 years. Also dental can also be subsidised.

[@mickatlas3272]

Love Bulk-Billed Doctors which give the say level of care, never had Private health due to the cost & I destroyed my ankle spent 2 weeks in a private room all treatment & medicine had to go back for more surgery & cost me Zero I love the Aussie health care system & the nurses are top notch, Americans are getting scammed with every report I see I hope Australia never follows the U.S. system

[@louisehoffen2295]

My husband had a triple by pass and then later a stroke etc. He was in hospital for quite a long time before the heart operation, in fact months being monitored. Cost 0. When he came home we had nurses coming 3 times a day as we had what is called “hospital in the home” (we agreed to this) cost 0. Just another grateful Aussie❤

[@coujo65]

If you have an accident or emergency, hospital treatment is basically covered under public health here in Australia so no charges. But for non emergency surgery you can end up waiting. The longest I waited for non ED hospital treatment was five months.

[@danni_by_the_bay]

It would have been nice if the video had time to go into the safety net for out of picket medical expenses, and the PBS and the safety net for that too.

[@barbararowley6077]

EDS, for anyone unfamiliar, is a blanket term for for the condition arising from one or mutations in the genes for soft tissue. Depending on what mutation and where a patient might just be a bit more flexible than average, though with aching joints, through to terrible chronic pain, migraines, frequent dislocations and tears, serious skin and digestive problems, and issues with blood vessels. Pain is the big constant problem across the syndrome, especially with the crackdown on treating pain seriously as a result of the opioid crisis. Even in Australia it’s not uncommon for patients to avoid going to hospital until things are too bad not to, because they fear being labelled drug seekers.

[@beacaton5838]

In the State of Queensland, we also have free ambulance service for everyone, free flying doctors service ( we are a huge State land wise), most Private clinics and medical centres bulk bill ( taking only the amount provided by Medicare) children are free as are retirees, that means all services.. medical, radiology, pathology and if over 65, after hospital care if you live alone, many of us still cary private health, so there’s no waiting time. I believe we do have the best healthcare… as to Paramedics and Ambulance a nominal amount added to our power bill to cover those costs.. we are very lucky.. 😊

[@georgepiethecutie]

I love the Medicare system, but some things aren't in there that should be. Dental, optical and ambulance are only covered by private insurance otherwise it's completely out of pocket. Dental is particularly expensive. I would still pick this over the US hands down anyday. I went to the hospital with stomach pain, did all sorts of tests, stayed for three nights, was given food and meds - walked out and paid nothing at all.

[@1ihws]

Ambulance isn’t only covered by private health insurance if you are a pension recipient - which is why so many of us are actually so pissed off especially when we see the rorts that go on, in the health sector, in certain places!

[@julietigermoon9572]

I really appreciate our healthcare in Australia