Medicare Safety Net Threshold Changes 

The Medicare Threshold (EMSN) rates have changed for 2010, for those who understand the rates the new concession or FTB A threshold is $562.90 and the general concession is $1126.00, if you don not understand the Medicate Safety Net please read on

The Medicare Safety Net is a government scheme to assist families and Singles who have higher then normal medical expenses. It does not apply to all medical expenses just prescribed expenses (see medicare for more information about what is and isn't covered).

Once you reach one of the thresholds above Medicare will pay 50% of the gap amount over the threshold, to qualify for the lower of the two thresholds you need to either have a concession card or be receiving or eligible to receive FTB A otherwise you qualify for the general threshold.

Singles do not need to do anything, Medicare will automatically track your gap amounts and notify you if you have crossed a threshold however families need to register as a family even if you already share a medicare card (the government doesn't believe in making things easy!) once you are registered as a family then Medicare will do the rest.

Please note this is different to the medical expenses offset that you claim on your tax return. - Source Small Business Works www.smallbusinessworks.com.au