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Medicare Teen Dental plan - Posted 08.09.08 |
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WHAT IS THE MEDICARE TEEN DENTAL PLAN?
The Australian government has introduced the Medicare Teen Dental plan to help with the cost of an annual preventative dental check for eligible teenagers aged 12-17 years.
WHAT DOES THE MEDICARE TEEN DENTAL PLAN COVER?
A preventative dental check can be used to cover expenses associated with an oral examination and, if required, x-rays, scaling and cleaning, and other preventative services - depending on what is needed. However the benefit can only be paid once in the calendar year that the voucher is issued.
WHO WILL THE VOUCHER BE SENT TO?
If you are eligible for Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY or Family Tax Benefit Part A, we will send the letter and voucher to you. If your family receives Family Tax Benefit Part A we will send the letter and voucher to them. If you live in shared care arrangements, we will send a letter and voucher to both parents or carers.
If the teenager is in equal shared care arrangements, the first family to claim the service with Medicare Australia will be entitled to the dental benefit.
Vouchers are only valid for the person named on the voucher and cannot be transferred to another person. If you believe that you are eligible for a voucher and you have not received one in the mail, you can call Medicare on 132 011.
HOW DO I PAY THE DENTIST AND CLAIM THE BENEFIT?
There are a number of ways you can pay the dentist and claim the benefit.
Step 1- Make an appointment with a dentist
You will need to check with the dentist:
-That they are registered with Medicare Australia
-That they will provide a preventative dental check under the Medicare Teen Dental Plan; and
-Whether you will be expected to pay an amount up-front and whether it will be more than the $150 dental benefit.
Step 2- Have your preventative dental check
You need to take your voucher to the dentist when you have your preventative dental check. Under the plan your dentist must give you an oral examination. Your dentist may also:
-take x-rays
-provide a scale and clean
-provide a fluoride treatment
-give you oral hygiene instructions
-provide dietary advice
-seal pits or cracks in a tooth (fissure sealing).
Step 3- Ways your dentist will bill you
After your preventative dental check, the dentist will bill you in one of three ways:
1. The dentist will bulk bill you (i.e. accept your voucher as full payment). You will need to sign an Assignment of Benefit form allowing the dentist to claim the dental benefit directly from Medicare Australia. The dentist will keep your voucher for claiming purposes- you don’t need to do anything else; OR
2. The dentist will ask you to pay up front. You will need to take or send your receipt and voucher to Medicare Australia to receive the dental benefit either by cheque, cash or deposited directly into your bank account within 3-4 working days; OR
3. The dentist will give you an unpaid account. You will need to take or send your account and voucher to Medicare Australia. We will send you a cheque made out to the dentist, for the benefit amount. You will need to send the cheque to the dentist, along with any amount you still owe for your dental check.
If the total cost of your preventative dental check is $150 or more, Medicare can only pay $150. You will be responsible for any additional amount. If the total cost of your dental check is less than $150, Medicare Australia can only pay the amount you have been charged.
If you would like anymore information, please call Medicare on 132 011.
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