✦ Plain-English Summary

National Health Amendment (Safety Net Thresholds) 2019

What it does

This bill adjusts the thresholds for Medicare's "safety net" — the point at which the government starts covering more of your out-of-pocket medical costs. It lowers the concession card holder safety net from 60 services to 48 services, and sets the general patient safety net amount at $1,486.80.

Why it matters

These safety nets protect people from spiralling medical bills. By lowering the threshold for concession card holders, eligible Australians (pensioners, low-income earners, etc.) reach government support faster when seeing doctors or specialists. However, the bill freezes the general safety net amount without indexing it from 2020 onwards, meaning it won't automatically increase with inflation.

Key details

• Concessional beneficiaries now need 48 out-of-pocket services instead of 60 before the safety net kicks in
• General safety net sits at $1,486.80 but won't be indexed (adjusted for inflation) on 1 January 2020
• Commencement date: 1 January 2020 — these changes took effect from the start of that year

Official Description

Amends the National Health Act 1953 to reduce the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Net threshold amounts that apply to general and concessional patients.

No formal division recorded

This bill passed by voice vote — parliament agreed without calling a formal count. A division is only recorded when a member explicitly requests one.

No votes yet.

No votes were recorded for this bill.