Health Insurance - claim in tax

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  apu on 21/12/2010 - 18:22

  +1

  No, you can't claim it on your tax return as it does not directly relate to the earning of income.

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  inherentchoice on 21/12/2010 - 23:24

  At least you're lucky enough to get the rebate.

  On a separate note, I saw that I got charged $1000+ for my medicare levy, but I didn't go to the doctor once. Is this something I can opt out of? I'd rather just pay the $40 or whatever for an appointment if needed lol.

  • 

    retiredfeline on 21/12/2010 - 23:48

    +1

    No but you could take up some unhealthy habits and use up your Medicare contribution when the habits catch up with you. :) But are you not aware that you can get the Medicare rebate for GP consultations? You only pay the gap. See your GP regularly and use what you are entitled to.

    Wouldn't you rather have good health and pay for others, instead of the other way around?

    • 

      inherentchoice on 22/12/2010 - 06:56

      If you want a bargain-hunting 'tip', there's actually such a thing as bulk-billing medical centres where you don't have to pay any gap and it's free.

      Still, I think my last memory of a bulk-billed appointment was the doctor telling me within 1 minute of entering the consultation room, that there was nothing he could really do about my symptom and it should 'fix itself'. By the second or third minute I was then promptly ushered out of the room so that he could claim his next fee from Medicare.

      I'm still seriously considering writing to Medicare to ask if I can opt out of their expensive insurance policy, or if I can get my $1000 back lol. I guess the short answer is that it's merely another tax to fill the government's budget and appease the powerful lobby of medical professionals while also keeping the Centrelink beneficiaries alive.

      • 

        retiredfeline on 22/12/2010 - 09:07

        You get what you don't pay for in those bulk billing places. Me I'd rather pay the gap for a good GP.

        Good luck with your campaign. :P

      • 

        Hellfire on 22/12/2010 - 09:45

        There are good bulk billing doctors around although you usually won't find them in medical centres, those things are basically just factories to get you in and out as fast as possible. Many neighborhood GPs still bulk bill or don't charge a gap.

      • 

        dr_ rusko on 22/12/2010 - 09:57

        IMHO if you can afford it… you're better off at a non bulk billing GP.
        wouldnt you rather go to a GP who doesn't have to see 8-12 patients an hour to cover his/her costs and put food on the table?
        some extra's packages with private health insurance will actually pay for GP visits (not sure everyone realises that)

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  rack on 22/12/2010 - 11:38

  my GP bulk bills and she spents about 15mins with me. Is that bad? hmm. She's preety good with me and not only does she just prescribe medication but would also prescribe home remedies. In fact she's one who belive more in home remedies rather then medication.

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  dr_ rusko on 22/12/2010 - 11:41

  this is almost worthy of it own post
  "what sort of GP do you go to and why"
  list 2 biggest advantages of what you do and 2 biggest downsides…

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  rack on 22/12/2010 - 13:43

  doesn't gp just mean General Practitioner. I go to a GP in a medical center.

  And wat do u mean by why? why would u go to a GP.