hibster76 Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 Now that we have been granted our 187, the practicalities of real life in another country are starting to worry me. Our youngest daughter 3 has been in hospital with pneumonia, viral wheeze and other breathing problems several times. She has inhalers at home and has needed anti biotics and steroids quite a few times. These have often been emergency trips in the middle of the night blue lights and all. Now I am worried, will we be able to get her inhalers in the same way? Should we bring a small stock out with us? Can we go to any local hospital if needed? Is this covered with medicare? I am sure that they are silly questions, but I need to know exactly in my head. It is one of my many 3 am worries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walkabout Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 Hi Hibster, I know it is easier said than done, but you really dont need to worry! My boys have both had a lot of breathing difficulties in the past (late night blue light trips to hospital, usually when the OH is away!) and have both had pneumonia, croup and bad asthma attacks so I do know where you are coming from. To put your mind at rest - you can go to any Dr and any hospital, hospital is covered by medicare, dr is mostly covered - there is a new thing in the budget that was just announced about a small co-payment of $7. It will depend if you have a Dr that bulk bills if you pay up front and claim it back or not. Ambulances are not covered - so you will need to get cover for that, you will need to ask when looking for cover though as there is often a 12 month waiting period for existing conditions (which asthma falls into). We bought a small stock of inhalers with us (and any other medication that your LO needs) just so we didnt feel we had to run around getting it when we first arrived. You also need to be aware that you pay for prescriptions here. I hope that helps put your mind at rest, but if you need any more information just ask (sorry this is rushed need to get the kids sorted for the day!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 Walkabout has put it very well. Don't worry. Yes, you will now pay a fee of $7 for a GP who was previously free, but a lot of GP visits were never free - it was up to the doctor. Mine already charged $34 for a visit. Hospitals are free and excellent. Ambulances though are not free and are expensive. My one trip was $500 and that was a number of years ago, so get insurance for ambulance. Also I recommend dental insurance as dental work here is very expensive - a check up and clean is about $200. But with insurance I only pay $20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 Defiantly bring some meds with you as it will take the pressure off when you first arrive, you may find some brand names are different. All prescriptions you have to pay for, some items are relatively cheap, but I had to pay over $35 for a flixotide inhaler for my son Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibster76 Posted May 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 Thank you very much for you replies. I will bring some inhalers and check out the type of cover she should have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.