Medicare Safety Net
Extended Medicare Safety Net
If you require frequent medical consultations with doctors or medical tests, the Medicare Safety Net offers financial relief by minimising out-of-pocket expenses for individuals or families receiving numerous out-of-hospital services. When you spend over a certain amount in a calendar year, the Medicare program will give you a higher amount back. Keep in mind, your doctor’s visit or test will still cost the same.
The Safety Nets are calculated each calendar year, 1 January to 31 December
If you’re enrolled in Medicare, you’re eligible for Medicare Safety Nets. If you’re part of a family or couple you can combine your costs by registering as a family.
Couples and families should contact Services Australia to register their family members as part of a safety net eligible family. Registering as a family allows eligible out-of-pocket costs for each individual family member to count towards the family’s EMSN threshold. Couples and families need to register even if all family members are listed on the Medicare card. Registration is only required once, unless family members change, for example, if a student child is no longer studying full time or you have a newborn baby.
To book an appointment with Narangba Station Medical Centre, please call (07) 3521 4333 or use our simple online booking system by clicking on the button below.
Opening Hours
We're open 7 days a week with late-night availability on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Weekend appointments are also available to all patients.
Need to see a GP?
Narangba Station Medical Centre frequently has same-day appointments, as well as after hours and weekend appointments available, for all patients. We're a mixed billing practice and can process your Medicare rebate on the spot. Click the button below to make a booking.
Why Register for Medical Safety Net as a Family?
We recommend all patients who have a family register with Medicare as a family or couple.
The Extended Medicare Safety Net is a commonwealth scheme (not an insurance scheme) that is available to all medicare enrolled Australian residents. When registered, the out-of-pocket cost to visit your GP will be subsidised once you, your partner or family have spent over the Extended Medicare Safety Net threshold.Â
We recommend that all patients who have a family register with Medicare as a family or couple so that your out-of-pocket costs are counted together towards Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN) thresholds.Â
For example, once you have reached the threshold, when you see one of our doctors for a standard consultation ($95.00), your Medicare rebate is $41.40; leaving a gap of $53.60. However, once you meet the EMSN threshold, you will receive a further rebate of 80% of the gap ($42.88) to the standard Medicare rebate.Â
This means that your total out-of-pocket expenses for the consultation are:
$95.00 - $41.40 - $42.88 = $10.72
Medicare Safety Net Threshold
The Medicare Safety Net Threshold is calculated over the calendar year (1 January to 31 December) and resets on the 1st of January. During this time, you can monitor how much you have spent (and when you are likely to reach the threshold) by using the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.Â
We recommended that all patients register with Medicare as a family or couple so that your out-of-pocket costs are counted together towards the Extended Medicare Safety Net thresholds. You don’t have to be on the same card, but you do need to phone Medicare or fill out a form to advise them who is in your family (unfortunately this cannot be done online) or call Medicare. For more information, see Medicare: How to manage your Medicare Safety Net?
2024 Medicare Safety Net Thresholds:
| Original Medicare Safety Net (OMSN) | $560.40 | Everyone in Medicare | Your gap amount for the calendar year. | 100% of the schedule fee for out of hospital services. |
| Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN)- General | $2544.30 | Everyone in Medicare | Your out of pocket amount for the calendar year. | 80% of out of pocket costs or the EMSN benefit caps for out of hospital services. |
| Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN) - Concessional and Family Tax Benefit Part A | $811.80 | Concession cardholders and families eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A | Your out of pocket amount for the calendar year. | 80% of out of pocket costs or the EMSN benefits caps for out of hospital services. |
What does it cover?
The Medicare Safety Net threshold covers various doctor visits and tests. Some services covered by Medicare Safety Net include:
- General Consultations (GP)
- Specialised Consultations
- Ultrasounds
- Pap Tests
- Blood Tests
- CT scans
- X-rays
Please Note: Medical services not covered by Medicare and in-hospital services are not part of the Medicare Safety Net. Admission to the hospital, including surgery, doctor visits, and tests during hospitalisation, fall outside the scope of the Safety Net.
For more information, see MBS Online: Medicare Safety Net Arrangements - 1 January 2024
How to Register?
You only need to register once for the Medicare Safety Nets. This will apply to everybody listed on the Medicare card.
To register for the Medicare Safety Nets as a couple or family you can:
- Download the form
- Call the Medicare General Enquiries line on 132 011 - open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
You can view more information about the Medicare Safety Net on the Medicare Australia website, or you can contact our friendly team on 07 3521 4333 to ask any questions.
Why Choose NSMC?
Conveniently located next to Narangba Train Station, NSMC combines accessibility, affordability, and high-quality medical services to meet the diverse healthcare needs of north Brisbane residents. Our experience medical team, led by Dr. Madhu Lakshmaiah, ensures personalized, patient-centered care with holistic solutions to a variety of health concerns. We're open 7 days a week with after-hours availability and our patients also benefit from the convenience of on-site blood tests, free parking, and proximity to a local pharmacy.Â
Dr Madhu Lakshmaiah
MBBS FRACGP MRCGP DFSRH LoCSDI
Dr Madhu Lakshmaiah is a highly qualified and dedicated principal general practitioner at Narangba Station Medical Centre. Adopting a holistic approach to health practices, Dr Madhu has special interest in oncology, obstetrics, gynaecology and psychiatry – exemplifying his far-reaching expertise that aids his general practice.Â
Fluent in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada, Dr Lakshmaiah is passionate about patient-centred and empathetic approaches to healthcare; believing in establishing strong doctor-patient relationships based on trust, open communication, and mutual respect.
Contact & Bookings
To make an appointment, please call reception or use our online booking system via the button below. You can also visit our contact page to see further details about our location and directions.
Bookings are available from as early as 7AM on weekdays and Saturday. We are also open Sunday afternoon and late evening on Tuesday and Thursday until 8:30PM.Â
Can't find us? - We are situated across the road from Narangba Train Station next to the Narangba Village shopping complex. Look for signs for Narangba Health Centre and IGA.
Serving patients in Narangba, Burpengary, Dakabin, Deception Bay, Morayfield, North Lakes and North Brisbane surrounds