Is health insurance free in Australia, public healthcare via Medicare is not free insurance but is funded by taxation providing free public hospital treatment and subsidised GP for citizens and permanent residents, while private health insurance is not free. Medicare is funded by 2% Medicare levy on taxable income for most taxpayers earning over $24,276, plus 1% to 1.5% Medicare Levy Surcharge for high income earners over $97K single without hospital cover, plus general tax revenue, costing federal government $100B per year, 10% of GDP. For citizens and permanent residents enrolled in Medicare, public hospital treatment as public patient is free, with $0 out of pocket, GP can be free if bulk billed, otherwise gap $30 to $80, and prescriptions subsidised $31.60 general and $7.70 concession under PBS. So Medicare provides free public hospital care, not free private hospital, dental or optical. Private health insurance is not free, costing $100 to $250 per month single, $300 to $700 family, with rebate 24% to 33% reducing cost, but you pay premium. For tourists, health insurance is not free, need OVHC $40 to $150 per month. So health insurance is not free in Australia, Medicare is tax-funded providing free public hospital and subsidised GP, but not free for all services, and private health insurance costs extra.
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