SBS News, 4 November 2022:
The Commonwealth Seniors Healthcare Card is changing. Here's what you need to know
HIGHLIGHTS
The income threshold for senior healthcare cards has been increased to allow more people to access cheaper healthcare
Singles earning up to $90,000 will now be able to access the scheme, as will couples earning up to $144,000
The move will benefit an extra 44,000 seniors and cost the federal budget $69.4 million over four years.
Tens of thousands of older Australians will now be able to access cheaper healthcare following the relaxation of income tests for the Commonwealth Seniors Healthcare Card.
The changes were an election promise by the Albanese government, and mean higher income earners will now be able to qualify for subsidised treatment and medicines.
"We want to create a better Australia where no one is left behind and no one is held back, and this is particularly true for older Australians," Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said.
Here's what we know.
Who can access the concession card and what are the benefits?
The cards are open to anyone over 66 and six months and not receiving a social security pension or benefit.
Recipients must be living in Australia when they receive the card, and have either Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or a Special Category visa.
Newly arrived residents may face waiting periods of up to four years.
Health card holders can get discounted prescriptions through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and bigger refunds for health expenses than what's usually offered through Medicare.
GPs are also encouraged to bulk-bill for cardholders……
The seniors health card bill passed the Senate last week, and comes into effect from Friday.
It follows reductions in the cost of medicines, with the government reducing the maximum co-payment under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) by $12.50 earlier this year…...
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