How long to you have to wait for Medicare rebates??

[judabellah]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone knows the answer to this..

After I pay my planning and management fee (at 20 weeks- in 10 weeks time) can I claim back the part that I am entitled to straight away? Or do I have to wait until the baby is born (Feb 2010)?

The reason I ask is that I have heard about the changes to Medicare effective Jan 01 and I'm worried that we won't be able to afford go Private afterall if the rebate is recieved after the baby is born...

?? TIA

[jag5000]

I went directly from my OB's office after paying it, to medicare where I claimed it! :)

[lambjam]

You can claim as soon as you have a receipt to take to Medicare, so if you pay in full you can claim immediately.

The only reasons you would have to wait are if a) you choose to pay it off in installments, in which case you would claim once you'd paid the final installment; or b) if you pay with a cheque, in which case your ob may wait until the cheque is cleared before issuing a receipt.

Hope that helps :)

[Electric Rodeo]

I went directly from my OB's office after paying it, to medicare where I claimed it! :)

I do the same thing no problem:)

[Mumma88]

I paid mine at the OB's office and they sent it off to medicare for me the refund arrived in my bank account a few days later.

BTW even if you did wait till after you had the baby you would still be entitled to the refund because of the date it was paid would be on the receipt which is before Jan 01... someone correct me if I am wrong please.

[judabellah]

Phew... I feel very relieved :) !!

Thanks heaps for all your fast responses ladies.

[garfield13]

I went directly from my OB's office after paying it, to medicare where I claimed it! :)

same here