A further 50,000 older Australians will have access to more affordable health care and medications to help ease cost of living pressures under changes to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

A re-elected Morrison Government will increase the singles income test threshold from $57,761 to around $90,000 from July 1 this year to give more Senior Australians access to the concession card. The couple’s threshold will also increase from $92,416 to $144,000.

At the Commonwealth level, all cardholders are eligible for cheaper medications and health care, and they may also be eligible for state, territory and local government savings such as discounted rates, electricity and gas bills, ambulance, dental, eye care, recreation and public transport.

The Coalition will invest more than $70 million over four years to expand eligibility, helping an extra 50,000 senior Australians this year.

This means more Senior Australians could save hundreds of dollars, including up to $428 a year for access to a monthly script for vital medicines and a refund for medical costs if they reach the Medicare Safety Net.

Currently, more than 436,000 Australians aged over 67 years who are not already receiving a pension or benefit have a Seniors Health Card. The income threshold change will mean more than 486,000 would be eligible, an 11 per cent increase.

PBS MEDICINES PRICES TO BE SLASHED
Millions of Australians taking common medications for blood pressure, high cholesterol, pain relief, depression, diabetes and more will save $10 on scripts with a reduction in the price of Government-subsidised medications. 

A re-elected Morrison Government will cut the price of medications listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from January 1 next year. 

The $10 cut per script means the maximum price Australians will pay for PBS medicines drops from $42.50 down to $32.50, a 24 per cent saving.

Since 2013, the Coalition Government has approved more than 2900 new or amended listings on the PBS at an overall investment of $16.5 billion.

All scripts currently counting towards a patient’s safety net will continue to do so.

If my office can assist with any issue, please contact scott.buchholz.mp@aph.gov.au; PO Box 628, Beaudesert QLD; Ph 5541 0150.