A Little Late...

Permanent visa status comes with some new rights and priveledges that I didn't have before.  I can vote, open lines of credit, work anywhere I want with no time restrictions, open my own business, and I now qualify for Medicare.  Medicare is Australia's socialized healthcare program.  When I decided to move to Sydney over a year ago, my Aussie and I had no idea that I would need to have a permanent visa to obtain the quality of life I want and need.  We were extremely naive and thought I could just move here and get back to life as I know it. 

Six months later and lots of venting through this blog and we now know that's not the case.  As you might have read, I've been "challenged" with a few medical problems since I've moved here.  Cracked tooth, lost filling, lost replacement filling, UTIs, kidney infection, severe tonselitis, and so on.  If we were smart and did our research, we would have made sure that I arranged overseas health insurance for my first year, but we just didn't know.  So needless to say, it's a little late in the game to finally have healthcare but I am thrilled to know that I'm in the system and covered now.

The healthcare system is pretty amazing here.  Anyone can be treated, with or without insurance, and the government will reimburse a portion of the treatment depending on what is.  What a concept right?  I will be signing on with my Aussie's health insurance plan as well for additional coverage (I need all the help I can get).  It's an amazing thought to know though that no matter what your situation, you won't be turned away from any doctor or hospital.

Let's just hope that as I'm nearing the big 3-0 in a few weeks, that I get better and healthier with age.

(Happy 30th M. & C.!!!)