Building Your Support Team
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- Building Your Support Team
Meeting your Kidney Care Team
Government Systems
Health care and Financial Support
Creating a myGov Account. A myGov account enables you to access a range of government services online such as Centrelink and Medicare, The National Disability
Insurance Scheme and My Health Record.
The process is simple and the myGov website is the starting point for registering.
Medicare
Medicare
Medicare is the publicly funded health care system in Australia (for citizens and those eligible) which helps with the cost of medical health care. Legally, you can obtain your own card when you reach 15 years of age and should have one to access medical services independently.
You can lodge your form at a Medicare service centre or online from myGov, and you will need to bring one of the following:
- Driver’s license
- Current passport
- Birth certificate
After you enrol, you will receive your Medicare card number. When you are going for a check-up or treatment always take your Medicare card with you.
Medicare covers the cost of:
- All public hospital clinics
- Treatment as a public patient in a public hospital
- All or part of the costs of treatment by practitioners such as doctors (including specialists).
Accessed through your GP for a limited amount of allied health services (physiotherapy, dietician etc.).
Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS): Until the age of 17 you may be eligible if you your parent or partner is also receiving a Centrelink benefit.
Public dental care services: check your state department of health website for eligibility criteria.
The Medicare Safety Net scheme ensures that when you spend certain amounts in gap and out of pocket costs, you’ll reach the threshold (then you’ll get more money back for certain Medicare services).
Your doctor accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment and bills Medicare directly rather than expecting you as the patient to pay up front.
To find out more about Medicare
and the charging of fees, how to apply for your own card and more visit the Services Australia Website or phone 132 011 for general enquiries.
Private Medical Insurance
If you have private family health cover, you may be eligible to continue to receive cover until you reach the age of 25 depending on the terms and conditions of this cover. Otherwise, you may need to consider a singles cover for yourself.
Some private health insurance policies cover chronic kidney disease, including dialysis. You can check what’s available at Compare the Market or visit PrivateHealth.gov.au using the link below.
Centrelink
If eligible, you can apply to obtain a Healthcare Card. This entitles you to reduced costs for medicines as well as other concessions. When you turn 16, you will need to re-apply for your health care card.
Centrelink online will help you find out if you are eligible. Centrelink offices can be busy with queues and you may have a long wait with telephone enquiries.
Alongside your Health care card, you can also discuss assistance with further education, work and any other entitlements assistance such as paying your bills and accessing cheaper public transport.
Youth allowance is financial help if you’re 24 or younger. Use the link below to find out more about:
- Who can get it
- How much you can get
- When to claim
- How to claim
- Your commitments and first payment
- How to report and manage payments
Click here to learn more: Youth Allowance
Disability Support Pension
The Disability Support Pension provides financial assistance to individuals with a permanent physical condition. You will need to be assessed by Centrelink to find out if you are eligible.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) accessibility
The NDIS provides individuals with permanent and significant disability with funding. Disabled individuals can access services and supports that will enhance their quality of life including carer support. www.ndis.gov.au
