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Health insurance rebate available FAMILIES and individuals that pay private health insurance premiums are eligible for the Federal Government 30 per cent Rebate on private health insurance.Anyone who pays hospital and/or ancillary private health fund premiums to a registered health fund can get a 30 per cent reduction on the cost of their private health insurance. If you pay the cost of the premiums and you are the policy holder, then you are eligible for the Federal Government 30 per cent Rebate; even if you are not personally covered by the policy, for example if the policy is for your children. However, the policy must cover people that are eligible for Medicare. On 1 April 2005 new Rebate amounts were introduced. These applied to persons aged 65 and over. This meant that people aged from 65 to 69 are eligible to receive a 35 per cent Rebate and people aged 70 and over are eligible to receive a 40 per cent Rebate. The Federal Government 30 per cent Rebate is not means tested. It does not matter how much you earn or the level of your family income. If you have hospital and/or ancillary private health insurance with a registered health fund, you can claim the Federal Government 30 per cent Rebate. Regardless of whether you pay your premiums monthly, yearly in instalments or in advance, there are three ways to claim the Federal Government 30 per cent Rebate. From your fund Ask your fund to provide the Rebate as a premium reduction, reducing your upfront costs. To claim the Federal Government 30 per cent Rebate as a premium reduction you will need to register with your health fund, who will send you a form or advise you what you need to do. 2. From a Medicare office Where you have paid the full, upfront cost, you can receive a cash payment from the Government through your local Medicare office or by lodging the claim form by post. To claim the Federal Government 30 per cent Rebate as a cash payment you need to fill in a claim form (available at your Medicare office) and attach a special receipt from your registered health fund. If claiming at a Medicare office, a cash limit applies. If your benefit is over the cash limit, you will get a cheque payment instead. From the Australian Taxation Office The Federal Government 30 per cent Rebate may be claimed back on your annual income tax return if you have paid the full, upfront cost. Your health fund will give you a statement at the end of the financial year to help you complete your tax return. Are all private health fund members eligible? Not all private health funds are registered. The Federal Government 30 per cent Rebate is not available to people who hold private health insurance policies with non-registered funds. Check with your fund to see if it is registered. Overseas visitor health cover is not eligible for the 30 per cent Rebate; only domestic type policies attract the Rebate. The Medicare levy surcharge The current Medicare levy surcharge will remain in place. The Medicare levy surcharge only applies to higher taxable income earners who choose not to have private hospital health insurance. |
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