Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) eligibility in Medicare 011-44080000

Medicare entitlement

LHC eligibility

LHC date

Migrants (permanent resident visa)
Newly enrolled in Medicare

Yes

Date of registration (processing date).

Migrants (permanent resident visa)
Previously enrolled in Medicare

Yes

Initial date of registration (processing date).

If a migrant has been absent from Australia, their initial registration date (processing date) in Medicare remains their LHC date. This cannot be changed.

For Migrants enrolled in Medicare before 1 April 2007, the Medicare entitlement start date is to be used.

Migrants should get a 'Request for international movement records (IMR)’ from the Department of Home Affairs website. An IMR gives a person’s entry and exits from Australia. Migrants must give the IMR to their private health fund to have their LHC loading reassessed.

See Z2780 Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) - Unable to confirm applicable date - International Movement Record may be required.

Conditional migrant (applicant for permanent residency)

Yes

Date of registration (processing date).

Applicants for Permanent Protection (866 visa)

Yes

Date of registration (processing date).

New Zealand citizens
Newly enrolled in Medicare

Yes

Date of registration (processing date).

New Zealand citizens
Previously enrolled in Medicare

Yes

If a New Zealand citizen has been absent from Australia, their initial registration (processing date) in Medicare remains their LHC date. This cannot be changed.

New Zealand citizens should get a 'Request for international movement records (IMR)’ from the Department of Home Affairs website. New Zealand citizens must give the IMR to their private health fund to have their LHC loading reassessed.

See Z2780 Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) – Unable to confirm applicable date – International Movement Record may be required.

Note: for customers enrolled in Medicare before 1 April 2007, the Medicare entitlement date must be used.

Australian citizens

Newly enrolled in Medicare

Yes

Date of registration (processing date).

Australian citizens

Previously enrolled in Medicare

Yes

If an Australian citizen has been absent from Australia, their initial registration (processing date) in Medicare remains their LHC date. This cannot be changed.

Note: for customers enrolled in Medicare before 1 April 2007, the Medicare entitlement date must be used.

Before CDMS, when a newborn was added to a family Medicare card their entitlement date would be the same as the parent. This date could be before their date of birth. In these instances the Medicare registration date will be the child's date of birth.

Australian citizens must get an International Movement record (IMR) from the Department of Home Affairs. Australian citizens must give the IMR to their private health fund to have their LHC loading reassessed.

See:

• Z2780 Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) – Unable to confirm applicable date – International Movement Record may be required
• Request for international movement records (IMR)

Australian citizens

Previously enrolled in Medicare and have not been absent from Australia

No

The LHC letter is not relevant to Australian citizens who have been previously enrolled and have not been absent from Australia.

Norfolk Island residents

Yes

On 1 July 2016, residents of Norfolk Island became eligible for Medicare benefits and therefore became able to purchase Australian private health insurance policies.

Norfolk Island residents who were aged over 31 years at 1 July 2016 had until 30 June 2017 to purchase insurance without incurring an LHC loading. If Norfolk Island residents purchased insurance from or after 1 July 2017, an LHC loading applies.

Younger residents will have until their normal LHC base day of 1 July following their 31st birthday to purchase insurance without incurring an LHC loading.

Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA)

No

LHC does not apply.

If a written request is received it must be returned with an Z2781 Your request for a Lifetime Health Cover letter (unable to give due to entitlement type).

Note: if the customer is now a Conditional Migrant or Migrant, use the date on which the full Medicare entitlement was registered (processed date).

Ministerial orders and Medicare eligibility

Yes

Date of Registration (processing date).

Diplomats

No

LHC does not apply.

If a written request is received it must be returned with Z2781 Your request for a Lifetime Health Cover letter (unable to give due to entitlement type).