Supporting Carers Of Other People's Children - Australian Foster ...

Foster children and Medicare cardsTo get a Medicare card for a child placed in your care, the relevant government agency needs tosubmit a Medicare enrolment application form, a copy of the court order, and a letter from the agencysetting out the request for the card.A foster child may not be transferred off a parent’s Medicare card without the authority of that parent.When a child is in the care of a government agency (court order), the child may be copied to aMedicare card in the name of that agency. The agency may then make the Medicare card available toyou, as the foster, relative or kinship carer. A child will not be included on your Medicare card unlessyou are providing long term care.When an agency and the family share responsibility, a parent may authorise for the child to be copiedto a Medicare card under the name of the agency.How carers can use the Medicare card number• In a care situation it may be useful if the agency either provides the Medicare card number or theMedicare card to the carer.• You can copy a child on to more than one Medicare card, by filling out a Medicare ‘Copy/transferapplication form’.• You do not need to have the child’s Medicare card or number to make a claim (however, it is easierand more convenient if you do).• You only need to have paid the child’s medical bill to make a claim from Medicare.• Where the doctor bulk bills and the Medicare card number is not known, the doctor may contactMedicare Australia on 13 2150 and ascertain the child’s Medicare card numberMedicare Australia delivers a range of other services including:• Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme — 1800 020 613• the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register — 1800 653 809.To obtain a ‘Copy/transfer application form’, and to findout more information about Medicare card arrangementsfor children in out-of-home care phone your local MedicareOffice, on phone 13 2011, TTY 1800 552 152,Translating and Interpreting Services 13 1450 or visit thewebsite atwww.medicareaustralia.gov.auA tribute to my foster carer (K)I like the songs that we sing, andwheelchair dancing. K--- makes mybed nice. We have chocolate and K---plays computer with me. K--- gives mebig hugs. We read books, play musicloud and dance.C--- (9 yrs)33