1. Understanding Australia’s Healthcare System & Costs
- Medicare Public CoverageAustralian citizens or permanent residents can access free hospital services and subsidized outpatient care with a Medicare card, managed regionally under federal funding.
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)PBS subsidizes prescription medications, offering safety nets for residents and certain visitors under reciprocal agreements.
- Private Health Insurance LandscapeAround 50–55% of Australians opt for private insurance to supplement Medicare, covering extras and enabling doctor choice and faster access. Average annual combined hospital + extras premiums: ~AUD 3,199 (young), up to AUD 4,176 (older); hospital-only plans: AUD 2,339–3,304.
- Why Private Insurance is GrowingRising costs and long public wait times drive uptake. High earners without private cover may face Medicare surcharge.
2. How Dogpay Supports Your Medical Payments
| Use Case | Common Pain Points | Dogpay Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance Premium Payments | Opaque FX, slow transfers, fragmented channels | Transparent multi-currency fees, fast processing |
| Medical Bills & Out-of-Pocket Costs | Bill scattering, hard to track expenses | Auto-generated logs, easy export for budgeting |
| Cross-Border Payment Needs | Visitors or new residents may lack Medicare | One-stop cross-border payments for urgent care |
| Claims & Reimbursement Filing | Complicated paperwork, tracking costs | Transaction records support claim documentation |
