Is there free health insurance in Australia, public healthcare via Medicare is tax-funded providing free public hospital treatment and subsidised GP for citizens and permanent residents, but not free private health insurance. 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 private 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 $0, GP can be free if bulk billed, about 70% to 80% of GP visits bulk billed for concession and children, otherwise gap $30 to $80, prescriptions subsidised $31.60 general and $7.70 concession under PBS. So Medicare provides free public hospital care, not free private hospital, dental, optical or ambulance in most states. Private health insurance is not free, costing $100 to $250 per month single, $300 to $700 family, with rebate 24% to 33% reducing cost. For tourists, health insurance not free, need OVHC $40 to $150 per month. There is no free private health insurance, but there is free public healthcare via Medicare for residents, and for low income concession card holders, more bulk billing and free dental for children. So free health insurance exists as Medicare public system for residents, but not private cover.
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