This year, Medicare will celebrate its 40th anniversary—and a small but significant design change will be introduced to the Medicare cards to commemorate this milestone.

This change is a testament to the enduring success of a system providing essential healthcare services to Australians for four decades.

Services Australia announced last Monday, January 15, that the Medicare card will feature a new design.

'Medicare is turning 40. To celebrate, the Medicare card will have a 2024 commemorative design,' the announcement read.

'If you get a new or replacement card from 1 February 2024, it’ll be a 40-year anniversary card. This card design will be issued until 31 December 2024.'

Services Australia announced a new look on the Medicare card. Source: Services Australia

The new design will be featured on the physical cards and updated in Medicare online accounts, the Express Plus Medicare mobile app, and the myGov app.

This ensures that celebrating this milestone is integrated across all platforms where Medicare services are accessed.

For those whose cards have expired, Medicare will automatically send out a new card with the commemorative design.

However, Australians who need to replace a lost, stolen or damaged card can request one on the mobile app or by calling Medicare.

The introduction of the Medicare system in 1984 by the Hawke Labor government marked a significant shift in Australia's healthcare landscape.

The system, originally called Medibank when it was introduced in 1975 by the Whitlam Labor government, was renamed Medicare and underwent significant changes, including the reversal of limitations on bulk billing and benefits implemented during a period of the Liberal government.

Over the years, Medicare has evolved to meet the changing healthcare needs of Australians. It has expanded to cover a wide range of services, including doctor's visits, tests and examinations, eye tests performed by optometrists, and most surgical and therapeutic procedures performed by doctors.

As we look forward to the future, it's clear that Medicare will continue to play a crucial role in Australia's healthcare system.

Key Takeaways

• Medicare cards will feature a commemorative design in 2024 to mark Medicare's 40th anniversary.
  
• The special design will be featured on all cards printed until the end of the year.
  
• New and replacement cards from 1 February 2024 will be anniversary cards, and the design will also be updated in various Medicare digital platforms.
  
• Australians can request a new card through the mobile app or by contacting Medicare if their card is lost, stolen or damaged.
  

What are your thoughts on the new design, members? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

 

[havingadoggyday]

There mere mention of the word 'Whitlam' makes me want to vomit.... that was the start of the demise of Australia....the SOB.

Here we go the political rant

 

[Bridgit]

Agree 100%.... they can't get their priorities straight and focus on the important things at the moment ie: the rental crisis, cost of living, and the increase in homelessness....

Yep it is all smoke and mirrors!

 

[IAN3005]

Yep it is all smoke and mirrors!

It's a distraction from something they are cooking up.....

 

[EILEEN W]

Total waste of money by a non car

ing federal government!

Totally disagree. Just look at the systems in most other countries especially US where many people just are denied treatment and medicines and the UK where that system is on life support itself. I owe my life to Medicare which has ensured I get medical treatment (four times emergency surgery in past year) and because so many abuse the system there have to be forms to fill in safety measures to prevent rorts and waiting lists which hold up treatment.

 

[Da Freddo]

Well they have to be reprinted for a lost or expired card anyway. The slight addition to the template will probably make no difference to the replacement card cost anyway. But hey, happy whinging!

Spot on Knell, I'm with you on this one..

 

[havingadoggyday]

How is this going to benefit citizens?
We need medicare rebates for dentistry. EG. One filling costs approx $200. Pensioners can't afford to be covered by private Insurance and if they are not in pain they are not considered for an appointment with the Community dentist, even when they have a black hole in their front tooth.

Here we go!!!

How is this going to benefit citizens?
We need medicare rebates for dentistry. EG. One filling costs approx $200. Pensioners can't afford to be covered by private Insurance and if they are not in pain they are not considered for an appointment with the Community dentist, even when they have a black hole in their front tooth.

Here we go.Why do all the tax payers of Australia,have to be responsible for footing the bill for an already mooching pensioners'rotten teeth??
Why can't people plan ahead for their retirement,pay their super contributions,don't smoke drink and gamble live within their means so that you don't still have rent at 67 years old(most in our generation started working at 16),and can afford to get a filling if they need one a d stop bitching about what they can't get for free and what they are entitled to get for free!!!!We all complain about today's young ones being entitled but gee,this SDC seems to have its fair share of whinging,entitled.....fought in ten world wars or was the wife of one, so I should be entitled to free everything for the rest of my living days.!!!Good grief

 

[EILEEN W]

It costs MONEY that could be well-spent on other things more urgent ie: affordable housing for the homeless!!!

And the homeless get treatment when they need it. In the US they just die!!!!! It isn't perfect by any means but that's because far too many people rort the system. Just imagine if you had to pay for everything yourself as in the US and most other countries.

 

[havingadoggyday]

Spot on Knell, I'm with you on this one..

Absolutely,have to be reprinted anyway..what's the big deal.We are not ALL getting one.

 

[Lesle]

This year, Medicare will celebrate its 40th anniversary—and a small but significant design change will be introduced to the Medicare cards to commemorate this milestone.

This change is a testament to the enduring success of a system providing essential healthcare services to Australians for four decades.

Services Australia announced last Monday, January 15, that the Medicare card will feature a new design.

'Medicare is turning 40. To celebrate, the Medicare card will have a 2024 commemorative design,' the announcement read.

'If you get a new or replacement card from 1 February 2024, it’ll be a 40-year anniversary card. This card design will be issued until 31 December 2024.'

View attachment 39449

Services Australia announced a new look on the Medicare card. Source: Services Australia

The new design will be featured on the physical cards and updated in Medicare online accounts, the Express Plus Medicare mobile app, and the myGov app.

This ensures that celebrating this milestone is integrated across all platforms where Medicare services are accessed.

For those whose cards have expired, Medicare will automatically send out a new card with the commemorative design.

However, Australians who need to replace a lost, stolen or damaged card can request one on the mobile app or by calling Medicare.

The introduction of the Medicare system in 1984 by the Hawke Labor government marked a significant shift in Australia's healthcare landscape.

The system, originally called Medibank when it was introduced in 1975 by the Whitlam Labor government, was renamed Medicare and underwent significant changes, including the reversal of limitations on bulk billing and benefits implemented during a period of the Liberal government.

Over the years, Medicare has evolved to meet the changing healthcare needs of Australians. It has expanded to cover a wide range of services, including doctor's visits, tests and examinations, eye tests performed by optometrists, and most surgical and therapeutic procedures performed by doctors.

As we look forward to the future, it's clear that Medicare will continue to play a crucial role in Australia's healthcare system.

Key Takeaways

• Medicare cards will feature a commemorative design in 2024 to mark Medicare's 40th anniversary.
• The special design will be featured on all cards printed until the end of the year.
• New and replacement cards from 1 February 2024 will be anniversary cards, and the design will also be updated in various Medicare digital platforms.
• Australians can request a new card through the mobile app or by contacting Medicare if their card is lost, stolen or damaged.

[/NOTES Medicare might be 40 years this year but technically Medibank Will celebrate 50 years next year, so why all the hype this year?

Key Takeaways

 

[AlanQ]

Total waste of money by a non car

ing federal government!

What is the waste? The $2: it would cost to add the logo to the cards when being printed. The master dye would be replaced regularly, so potentially absolutely no cost what so ever to the addition to new cards. The waste would be issuing them to people who just want their card to have the new details. You don't need the card, the app has all the necessary details to scan at a point of claiming.

 

[AlanQ]

Why 40 years , why not wait for 50 years which is a more significant number and when the Australian people are not in so much need

I think that every time the British royal family marks the occasion of their monarchs rein every so called 'significant' anniversay.

 

[Annna]

I like it. I don’t understand why some people get their knickers in a twist when the government does something.

Because the cost of it could be dedicated to the expansion of Medicare cover for dental care.

 

[havingadoggyday]

What is the waste? The $2: it would cost to add the logo to the cards when being printed. The master dye would be replaced regularly, so potentially absolutely no cost what so ever to the addition to new cards. The waste would be issuing them to people who just want their card to have the new details. You don't need the card, the app has all the necessary details to scan at a point of claiming.

Probably not even that.My dad was a printer and even in the old days,it just meant putting in a few extra letters in the master print.Now it's all automatically done.Whats the big deal

 

[Annna]

Well they have to be reprinted for a lost or expired card anyway. The slight addition to the template will probably make no difference to the replacement card cost anyway. But hey, happy whinging!

No, first there will be or in this case has been the significant cost of the bureaucratic decision and design process, a lot.

Then comes your estimate of the slight addition that will likely end up being some dollars per issue. Multiply this by the thousands of renewed cards and you'll have a lot more money spent on a 40 year anniversary gimmick introduced by a government seeking Australians' approval.

 

[Staffordshire Whippet]

Big F*****g Deal!

 

[Annna]

What is the waste? The $2: it would cost to add the logo to the cards when being printed. The master dye would be replaced regularly, so potentially absolutely no cost what so ever to the addition to new cards. The waste would be issuing them to people who just want their card to have the new details. You don't need the card, the app has all the necessary details to scan at a point of claiming.

It has already been and will continue to be much more than the few dollars you predict.

 

[Annna]

Probably not even that.My dad was a printer and even in the old days,it just meant putting in a few extra letters in the master print.Now it's all automatically done.Whats the big deal

There's more to it than the extra letters.

There are committees who have already participated in the decision and design process $$$$$$$.

 

[AlanQ]

Because the cost of it could be dedicated to the expansion of Medicare cover for dental care.

The cost to add a logo wouldn't even cover the cost of 1 check up. Be realistic, it's an adjustment to a master that is renewed every year.

 

[Annna]

Governments are elected to care for and help their communities.

How does '40Years' help?

 

[havingadoggyday]

Well they have to be reprinted for a lost or expired card anyway. The slight addition to the template will probably make no difference to the replacement card cost anyway. But hey, happy whinging!