Soon to turn 18? Wondering what that means for your privacy rights and entitlements? Well, read on to find out…
You’re about to celebrate the big 18! Eek! You’ll soon be classified as an adult in the eyes of the law as well as in your health care.
Along with the many changes you have gone through over your formative years, there’s more changes to come, two of them being changes to your privacy rights and your entitlements. It’s important for you to know and understand your rights as well as your entitlements, after all knowledge is power!
The below information is correct at the time of writing, however rules around entitlements can change so it’s best to always check with your state bodies.
What are my privacy rights when I turn 18?
When you turn 18 you are considered to have full legal ability to give consent to and/or refuse treatment.
This does not mean you’re suddenly on your own for all your appointments, it just means you can choose who you want with you for your appointments and visits and the information you wish to disclose.
In most situations, your doctors and health professionals, cannot tell anyone else (including your parents or guardians) what you tell them during your visits, what tests you have had or the results from any of your tests, unless you give them permission.
If you wish for your parents or guardians to be involved, you may be asked to sign a consent form giving your care team permission to disclose this information.
While this is a legal requirement for doctors and other health professionals, confidentiality can be broken in some circumstances, such as if they believe their patient is at risk of self-harm or suicide, being seriously harmed or seriously harming someone else.
Do my entitlements change as I get older or transfer to a new hospital?
Your entitlements can certainly change as you get older. These can include getting a new Medicare Card, Health Care and/or Allowance Cards. The programs you access may depend on your situation and where you are located, here’s some key areas for you to investigate.
Click on the links below to take you to the relevant information.
Concessional Car Parking at Hospitals
Travel and Accommodation Costs if you are Isolated
Medicare Card
You can get your own Medicare Card if you are 15 or older and enrolled in Medicare.
Find out HOW TO GET YOUR OWN MEDICARE CARD
Low Income Health Care Card
The low-income health care card reduces the cost of health care, including through cheaper PBS medicines. You may also get discounts on electricity, gas and water bills and motor vehicle registration. To be eligible your income must be below a certain threshold.
Find out about LOW INCOME HEALTH CARE CARDS
Ex-Carer Allowance
This is a concession card to get cheaper health care and some discounts if you’re a student and had a Carer Allowance Health Care Card when you turned 16.
Find out about the EX-CARER ALLOWANCE CARD
Mobility Allowance
A payment to help with travel costs for work, study or looking for work if you have a disability, illness or injury that means you can’t use public transport. You must be 16 years or older.
Find out about the MOBILITY ALLOWANCE
Concessional Car Parking at Hospitals
This can vary from state to state and hospital to hospital so it’s worth googling ‘concessional car parking’ to find out how this works in your area.
PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Safety Net
When you (or your family) have spent a set amount (the PBS Safety Net threshold) on prescription medications, the price of medications is reduced for the rest of the calendar year.
Find out about the PBS SAFETY NET
Youth Allowance (16+ years)
Can assist if you are a young person who is studying, undertaking training or an Australian apprenticeship, looking for work, or if you are sick.
Find out about YOUTH ALLOWANCE
Travel and Accommodation Costs if you are isolated
Depending on where you live and your travel and accommodation requirements, you may be able to get subsidised (cheaper for you) transport services. Here’s the state-based information on what you may be entitled to:
- Australian Capital Territory – Interstate Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme
- New South Wales – Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme
- Northern Territory – Patient Assisted Travel Scheme
- Queensland – Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme
- South Australia – Patient Assistance Transport Scheme
- Tasmania – Patient Travel Assistance Scheme
- Victoria – Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme
- Western Australia – Patient Assisted Travel Scheme
Transport Subsidy
Taxis – each state and territory has taxi vouchers and subsidies for people with severe or permanent disability.
- Australian Capital Territory – Taxi Subsidy Scheme
- New South Wales – Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme
- Northern Territory – Transport Subsidy Schemes
- Queensland – Taxi Subsidy Scheme
- South Australia – Transport Subsidy Scheme
- Tasmania – Taxi Subsidy Program
- Victoria – Multi Purpose Taxi Program
- Western Australia – Taxi User Subsidy Scheme
The views, experiences or comments shared on this website are not medical advice and may not reflect opinions or beliefs of Cystic Fibrosis Community Care. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions regarding your health.