Medicare Levy Surcharge

The Medicare Levy Surcharge is an extra tax payable by higher income families, couples and singles who do not have an eligible hospital insurance policy. The Medicare Levy Surcharge is in addition to the normal Medicare Levy of 1.5% of taxable income.

Eligible Hospital Cover

To avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge, higher income earners need to take out eligible private health insurance (hospital cover) with a low excess (also known as a low front end deductible). To qualify, your hospital cover excess must be equal to or less than $500 per annum for single policies or $1,000 per annum for families and couples cover. All hospital covers available through the this Health Plan will enable you to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge for the period covered.

Who pays the Medicare Levy Surcharge?

The Medicare Levy Surcharge is payable by higher income earners who do not have an eligible hospital cover.

The level of MLS payable depends on a person or family's income. The current Medicare Levy Surcharge Income Thresholds can be viewed here.

When you may not have to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge

If you had an eligible hospital cover for part of the year, you will generally be required to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge only for those days when you or any of your dependants did not have an eligible hospital cover.

Save with Health Insurance

You can avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge by taking out an eligible hospital cover. Some policies may cost you less than your Medicare Levy Surcharge liability so joining health insurance can actually save you money!

More information about the Medicare Levy Surcharge

For general information about the Medicare Levy Surcharge or any other health insurance related matter, contact the Health Plan advisers, Health Link Consultants on ph: (03) 9670 5555 or toll free 1800 808 026. For more detailed information about the Medicare Levy Surcharge, contact the Australian Taxation Office by:

Visiting the ATO website at: http://www.ato.gov.au
Calling the ATO on 13 28 61

Need help?

If you are unsure which cover best suits your needs, call us on 03 9670 5555 or Freecall 1800 808 026 to discuss your situation... or if you prefer, complete and submit a request for a free recommendation. We’ll then review your situation and forward a personal recommendation and quote to you by post or email. Best of all, this service is available to you free of cost and without obligation.