13. Financial costs In Australia, through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), the Australian Government subsidises the cost of listed prescription medicine to all residents and eligible overseas visitors. The PBS Schedule lists all of the medicines available for people at a Government-subsidised price. The Schedule is part of the wider PBS managed by the Department of Health and administered by Department of Human Services (www.pbs.gov.au/info/about-the-pbs). Talk to a member of your healthcare team (e.g. social worker) about what financial and practical support services are available. Talk to your local Medicare office about the ‘Medicare Safety Net’ and the ‘Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Net’ on costs of medications and medical bills (www. humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/medicare/medicare-safety-net and www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/medicare/pbs-safety-net).
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