What is the Medicare Safety Net?

The Medicare Safety Net provides a higher Medicare benefit to people who have spent over a certain threshold on medical expenses.

You will still need to pay the same amount for your doctor's visit or test, but Medicare will give you back a larger benefit.

The medical services covered include visits to your GP or a specialist, services provided in private clinics and private emergency departments, and many pathology and diagnostic tests. Some services are capped so you can't claim more than a certain amount.

The Medicare Safety Net does not apply to medical services you receive in hospital, including day surgery.

You can ask your doctor whether the services they are recommending are covered by Medicare, and what your out-of-pocket expenses are likely to be. You can also search on MBS Online.

How the Medicare Safety Net works

You can either qualify for the Medicare Safety Net as an individual person or as part of a couple or family.

Medicare calculates how much you are out of pocket each calendar year, from 1 January to 31 December. They calculate the difference between what the doctor charges you and what you can normally claim back from Medicare.

When you spend above a certain threshold, you will be able to claim higher benefits from Medicare. The more you spend, the more you can claim back.

If you qualify for the Medicare Safety Net as a family, everyone's costs are combined so you reach the threshold sooner. Medicare will tell you when your family gets close to the threshold. You will then need to confirm your family members.

Different thresholds apply depending on your circumstances. You can find out which threshold applies to you on the Department of Human Services website.

You can check your Medicare Safety Net balance any time using your Medicare online account or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.

Registering for the Medicare Safety Net

If you're single, you don't need to do anything. You will automatically receive the Medicare Safety Net when you have spent over the threshold.

If you are in a couple or family, you need to register. You only need to do it once and then the Medicare Safety Net will apply to everybody listed on the Medicare card.

To register for the Medicare Safety Net as a couple or family you can:

• download the form
• call the Medicare general enquiries line on 132 011