What services does Medicare provide?

• A. Dental care, physiotherapy, optical care
• B. Free/subsidised GP visits, public hospital care, PBS medicines
• C. Private hospital care only
• D. Overseas medical treatments

Answer: (B)

Medicare in Australia mainly covers essential medical services. It provides free or subsidised visits to a general practitioner and subsidised care in public hospitals, plus subsidies for prescription medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This combination—GP visits, public hospital care, and PBS medicines—is what Medicare standardly offers, so it’s the correct choice.

Dental care, physiotherapy, and optical care aren’t part of core Medicare benefits; they’re usually funded privately or through other programs, not as a standard Medicare entitlement. Private hospital care isn’t provided exclusively by Medicare, and while there can be rebates for some private hospital services, Medicare isn’t “private hospital care only.” Overseas medical treatments aren’t generally covered by Medicare, aside from limited reciprocal arrangements; most overseas care isn’t funded by Medicare.