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Health Care Card

Health Care Card holders (and in some instances their dependants) may receive:

• pharmaceuticals listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) at the concessional rate
• bulk-billed GP appointments, at the discretion of the doctor (the Government provides financial incentives for GPs to bulk-bill concession card holders)
• a reduction in the cost of out-of-hospital medical expenses, through the Medicare Safety Net.

State/Territory and local governments and some private providers may offer some additional health, household, transport, education and recreation concessions to Health Care Card holders. However, they offer these concessions at their own discretion, and they may vary from state to state. Details can be obtained from the concession providers themselves.

• Can I get a Health Care Card?
• How do I get a Health Care Card?

Can I get a Health Care Card?

In order to qualify for a Health Care Card, you must either:

• be receiving a social security income support payment that attracts a HCC (eg Newstart Allowance or Parenting Payment (partnered)), or
• be entitled to receive the maximum rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A in fortnightly instalments. This means your family income in 2008-2009 needs to be less than $42,559 (excluding any child support (maintenance) you get). Your entitlement to a Health Care Card will not be affected if you choose to defer some of your Family Tax Benefit and get less than the maximum rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A as fortnightly payments, or
• meet the income test for the low-income Health Care Card - details of the income limits are available from the Family Assistance Office, or
• be caring for a foster child, under either formal or informal caring arrangements. You do not need to receive Family Tax Benefit Part A for the child in your care, and this Health Care Card is not means tested.

Regular Care and eligibility for a Health Care Card
If you have regular care of your child (that is if your care level is between 14 and less than 35 per cent of the time), and you no longer receive Family Tax Benefit Part A, you may still be eligible for a Health Care Card as long as you meet the other eligibility criteria..

Certain residency requirements must also be met to qualify for any type of Health Care Card.

How do I get a Health Care Card?

Through the Family Assistance Office

A Health Care Card is automatically issued to you if you receive a social security income support payment that attracts a Health Care Card (eg Newstart Allowance or Parenting Payment (partnered)).

A Health Care Card is also automatically issued if you are entitled to receive the maximum rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A and are paid fortnightly instalments through the Family Assistance Office.

If you are on a low income but do not receive a Health Care Card automatically with a payment, you may be able to get a low-income Health Care Card. To see if you are eligible, you must make a separate claim for the card using the form called 'Claim for a Health Care Card'.

If you have a child in your care who is not your natural or adopted child (you may be a foster carer or a relative) you may wish to claim a foster child Health Care Card for the use of that child.

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