Equestrian Clubs

Medicare is a Commonwealth Government programme that provides eligible Australian residents with free or low-cost medical and hospital care.

Medicare provides access to:

• Free treatment as public (Medicare) patient in public hospital
• Free or subsidised treatment by practitioners such as Doctors or specialists.

The medical benefits schedule (MBS) lists all treatments and Associated MBR relating to Medicare.

You can access the MBS at any time by Medicare’s website. Items commonly used by sports participants that are Medicare listed can include General Practitioners, surgeons and an anaesthetists.

The MBS lists a rebate amount for each Medicare Item.

Example: A short consultation with a Doctor = Medicare rebate of $15.36

However, doctors or specialists may charge more than the listed MBS amount.

The difference between was is charged and the MBS rebate is call the “Medicare Gap”

1. The Doctor charges $45
2. Medicare provides a rebate of $15.35
3. Medicare Gap = $29.65 (our of pocket expense).

The Health Insurance Act 1973 (Cth) strictly prohibits any general insurer from insuring any item that is listed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule.

This also means that regardless of your out of pocket expenses, it is against the law for the insurer to cover the Medicare Gap.

So what does that mean?

If your medical or other treatment has a Medicare Item number, such as the doctor fee above, it is claimable on Medicare by is uninsurable and you may not claim for reimbursement.

In the example you cannot claim the $29.65.

If your medical or other treatment does not have a Medicare Item Number, you may claim for reimbursement through Marsh . For specific insurance and Risk Protection information please visit the making a claim section of this website.

No, club members receive Public Liability cover only whilst engaged in activities organised and/or run by an affiliated club who elects to participate in the National Insurance Program. Should participants wish to obtain cover under the Personal Injury policy, they are encouraged to become EA State Branch members.

Certificates of Currency are provided by Marsh upon renewal to affiliated clubs who elect to participate in the National Insurance Program. Certificates of Currency are often requested by third parties such as a council or property owner as proof of insurance.

Please contact the team at sport@marsh.com if you need an Interested Party noted on your Certificate of Currency.

Whilst there is no protection for club property under the EA National Program, Marsh is able to assist with arranging additional insurance to cover an EA Club’s assets and property. Please contact the Equine Team at sport@marsh.com