Health care is not cheap in Oz, but it isn't nearly as bad as in the U.S.A.. For Aussies, Australia has an essentially free medical system, Medicare. Our health services are only bettered by a handful of very rich countries, so go ahead and take a risk, have some fun, party hard and relax.
There are general practitioners, chiropractors, physiotherapists and assorted specialists in Cairns, Port Douglas, Mossman and the Tablelands. There is a district hospital in Mossman, 15 minutes drive from Port Douglas. Cairns Base hospital, located on the Esplanade, is capable of administering advanced and specialised medical care. Cairns also has a 24-hour medical centre and two private hospitals.
Other public hospitals are located at Mareeba, Herberton, Innisfail, Gordonvale and Georgetown, Atherton, Babinda, Weipa and Thursday Island. A stay in hospital is not free, so travel insurance that covers medical emergencies is highly recommended.
The number for Japanese Medical Services is 1800 688 909. An In-Hotel Medical Care Service operates in Cairns. Ph: 4041 1699.
Under reciprocal arrangements, residents of the UK, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Finland, Malta and Italy are entitled to free or subsidised medical treatment under Medicare, Australia's national health scheme. To enrol, you need to show your passport and healthcare card or certificate from your country and you are then given a Medicare card. Medicare only covers you for a certain amount and you will need to pay the balance. Clinics which advertise 'bulk billing' are the easiest to use as they charge Medicare direct and you don't have to pay up front.
The fee for a visit to a GP varies between about AU$28 to AU$35, depending on the consultation.
It is wise to take out a travel insurance policy which covers a wide range of medical expenses. Some policies specifically exclude 'dangerous activities' such as scuba diving, motorcycling and even trekking. Check that the policy covers ambulances or an emergency flight home.
If you are not covered by travel insurance, a ride in an ambulance could basically blow most of your vacation spending money. Queensland Ambulance Service charges patients AU$288 for the first 24 kms and AU$9.65 for every km after that. If you fall off a cliff, for example, and need to be rescued by a helicopter, you can kiss goodbye to AU$1,200 per hour, if you are not covered by insurance.
On the bright side, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which is the only means of getting to a doctor or hospital from remote parts of Cape York, is free, although if you have travel insurance, your insurance company will be billed.
Most pharmacies (drug stores) are open from 8am - 8pm.
Essential Phone Numbers:
Ambulance/Fire/Police - 000
Poisons Information Centre - 13 11 26
Life Line - 13 11 14
Alcoholic Anonymous hold regular meetings in Cairns and Mossman (near Port Douglas) - 4051 2872
