Medicare Australia

This article describes the Australian Government agency known as Medicare Australia. For information about the Medicare program in Australia, see Medicare (Australia)

Medicare Australia is an agency of the Australian Government that administers health-related programs including Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), and others. It is a prescribed agency under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (Cth) and a statutory agency within the Department of Human Services, under the Public Service Act 1999 (Cth). Prior to 1 October 2005, Medicare Australia was known as the Health Insurance Commission (HIC).

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The National Office of Medicare Australia is located in Canberra, and is responsible for policy and program development. Medicare Australia also has many branch offices across Australia, usually located in retail centres. These are responsible for processing payments and claims from members of the public.

Programs administered

Medicare Australia administers various health-related programs in partnership with the Department of Health and Ageing. As of 2007, these programs included:

• Medicare
• Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
• Australian Government 30% Private Health Insurance Rebate
• Special Assistance Schemes
• Aged Care
• Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR)
• Australian Organ Donor Register
• General Practice Immunisation Incentives Scheme (GPII)
• Practice Incentives Program
• Rural Retention Program
• Medical Rural Bonded Scheme
• Medical Indemnity
• Indigenous Health
• Compensation Recovery Program
• Herceptin
• Hearing Services Program
• DoctorConnect