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Post by ann on Nov 22, 2019 12:09:22 GMT 7
Hi there, my friend who has been living in Bali for a few years (on the OAP) needs to return permanently to Oz due to health issues. She has been told her access to Medicare will have to wait six months before she can claim. Also wait two months before she gets the blue concession card. Also told she will have to show them a lease agreement and utility bills before they issue the cards. Any comments at all? Is this set in stone? Are there any exceptions? She can’t afford private medical help and can’t afford a lease either. She is quite despondent. Thanks
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2019 13:21:18 GMT 7
G'day ann here is the official line on re-establishing Medicare. If she's been away for less than five years it should be automatically re-established. I hope these links will give you a good starting points. Best of luck with it all, to the both of you. Cheers bear For MedicareAustralians living overseasIf you move back to Australia after more than 5 years overseas, you’ll need to re-enrol with us again. You’ll need to give us both:a current passport for each person 2 documents per family proving you now live in Australia. You can also give us your old Medicare card numbers. If she is seriously ill, living with family members a stat Dec may suffice.Australians living in AustraliaIf you can’t give us the documents we need, tell us. We’ll talk to you about other options.
I suggest if you have already returned and are in the process of re-establishing residency & Medicare the above could apply as a citizen; because you would be an Australian living in Australia. There's always the complain to you Polly route as well. www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/subjects/how-enrol-and-get-started-medicare/enrolling-medicare/how-enrol-medicare-if-youre-australian-citizen#a2Returning to AustraliaIn most cases you don't need to tell us that you've returned to Australia. You need to contact us if any of the following applies to you:your payment or concession card stopped while you were away and didn’t restore automatically when you returned you're returning to live in Australia after having lived outside Australia you've been away from Australia for more than 5 years and must supply proof of residency to re-enrol for Medicareyou're paid under an international social security agreement we’ve asked you to provide evidence for your reason for travel. www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/topics/payments-while-outside-australia/31226Q : Does my access to Medicare expire if I move overseas, and if so how long do I need to be away?www.exfin.com/medicare-overseas-expats
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Post by nomadic on Nov 23, 2019 11:06:27 GMT 7
I have been away 20 years although never more than a year at a time before a brief return. And both medicare and blue card have continued to show up as if I was never away. Maybe if not returned in 5 years is different and OAP compared to DSP but I have never had a problem. Actually their incompetence sees them automatically send a new blue card out every time I return even if the current one is good for another year or more. But not having looked at all bears links above probably tells all for sure. I wouldn't believe you could be denied these things if on OAP and living in Australia. BUT?
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Post by ann on Nov 23, 2019 12:37:31 GMT 7
She has been out for over five straight years- I reckon that’s the problem. She left with no intention of ever returning but can’t get the health care there she needs. Seems we are good for something.
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Post by ann on Nov 26, 2019 11:23:55 GMT 7
I’ve found out she did return for 10 days during the last 5 years, but they still say no she must wait the 6 months to claim Medicare.
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Post by nomadic on Nov 26, 2019 18:29:28 GMT 7
I can't believe an Australian citizen living in Australia, especially on OAP pension can be denied these things. Regardless of their previous history. But they are indeed heartless these days. But basic rights comes to mind even then. I personally wouldn't be too concerned.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2019 18:49:13 GMT 7
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Post by ann on Nov 27, 2019 3:52:53 GMT 7
Thanks Bear, I’m going to phone Medicare today and pretend I’m going overseas for a few years walkabout and get info from them. It would be wonderful if that 10 days in 2016 reset her Medicare. Thanks a lot, I’ll keep you all informed
I found the Medicare enrolment form and there is a question there for returning Australians.
‘Australian citizens returning to live in Australia after more than five years’
So question goes back to the reset possibility in 2016. Hmm I can’t find anything regarding that - yet
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Post by kimmy on Dec 2, 2019 15:31:11 GMT 7
Unfortunately, there are incompetent people working in Centrelink. Their errors can put individuals in difficult situations. The best way to challenge Centrelink is to be fully stocked up with the right information. This site is a helpful source for those in need of assistance. Cheers!
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Post by ann on Jun 9, 2020 1:35:32 GMT 7
Just saw this thread again. Here is the update. My friend got Medicare access the day after she returned, no waiting time at all, easy to do. Now she has been accepted on a public housing list and is happy with that. Her biggest shock on returning is that she doesn’t miss Bali and is more than happy to be back. She thought it would be sad to return here but finds she loves the place. Go figure!!!!!!
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Post by bear on Jun 9, 2020 5:03:42 GMT 7
Thanks for the update ann ....glad everything is working out for your friend and great news on the Medicare timeframe. Let's hope that can be applied to all returning citizens just as easily. "Go figure".....all I can think of; she may have run out of wanderlust? Cheers bear
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