Chapter Ten

• What is bulk billing in the context of Medicare?


  Bulk billing occurs when the doctor or specialist charges only the Schedule fee, and payment is claimed directly from Medicare.
• What is the purpose of an incentive?

  An incentive is something that motivates or encourages someone to do something.
• What does an income test determine?


  An income test determines an individual's or family's eligibility for government assistance based on their level of income.
• What are in-hospital expenses covered by Medicare?

  In-hospital expenses are costs for treatment and accommodation in a public hospital.
• What does medical confidentiality entail?


  Medical confidentiality means that anything discussed between a doctor and a patient must be kept private.
• What is the Medicare levy?

  The Medicare levy is a 2 percent tax for most Australian taxpayers to fund Medicare.
• What is the Medicare levy surcharge?

  The Medicare levy surcharge is an additional 1–1.5 percent tax on high-income earners who do not have private health insurance.
• What is the purpose of the Medicare Safety Net?

  The Medicare Safety Net ensures that people who require frequent services covered by Medicare receive additional financial support.
• What are out-of-hospital expenses covered by Medicare?

  Out-of-hospital expenses are costs for services such as doctors, specialists, tests, and x-rays.
• What are out-of-pocket expenses?

  Out-of-pocket expenses are costs that patients must pay themselves.
• What is a patient co-payment?


  A patient co-payment is the payment made by the consumer for health products or services in addition to the amount paid by the government.
• What does the PBS Safety Net provide?


  The PBS Safety Net ensures that people who spend a large amount of money on Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medications receive additional financial support.
• What is a premium in the context of insurance?


  A premium is the amount paid for insurance.
• What does privacy in medicine mean?

  Privacy in medicine means that all information relating to a patient must not be shared.
• What is private health insurance?

  Private health insurance is an insurance policy that helps pay for services not covered by Medicare.
• What does responsibility mean in a healthcare context?


  Responsibility means being answerable or accountable for something within one's control.
• What is a right in the context of healthcare?

  A right is a moral or legal entitlement to have or do something.
• What is the Schedule fee in Medicare?


  The Schedule fee is the amount that Medicare contributes towards certain consultations and treatments.
• What does SIDS stand for?

  SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
• What is SIDS?

  SIDS refers to the deaths of babies usually up to around six months old, which have no real explanation.