HEALTH CARDS

Definition

This topic refers to coverage by specific government issued cards which entitle the card holder, and in some cases their dependents, to a variety of health benefits or concessions (e.g. medical care, hospital treatment/accommodation, and supply of pharmaceuticals, free of charge or at reduced rates). Cards are provided primarily to recipients of Australian government pensions or benefits.

The specific cards covered were:

• Any treatment entitlement card from the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA)
• Health Care Card (including for low income earners and foster carers)
• Pensioner Concession Card
• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

For details of the persons eligible for these cards (or coverage under these cards) and the range of entitlements available to card holders, please contact the relevant authority as eligibility can change over time.

Population

Information was collected for non-remote persons aged 15 years and over in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS).

Methodology

Non-remote respondents aged 15 years and over were asked whether they have a DVA treatment entitlement card, and if so, which colour is the card; white, gold or other.

Respondents were then asked if they were covered by any of the following government health concession cards:

• Health Care Card
• Pensioner Concession Card
• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
• None of the above
• Don't know

Multiple cards could be reported. Interviewers were supplied with supplementary information about the cards to assist if queried by respondents.

Data items

The data items and related output categories for this topic are available in Excel spreadsheet format from the Downloads page of this product.

Interpretation

Points to be considered in interpreting data for this topic include the following:

• Although prompt cards were used, some respondents may have incorrectly reported other types of cards in answer to these questions; for example, State Seniors Cards, which provide access to non-health services or entitlements (e.g. transport).
• The respondent may have been unaware of their coverage under another person's (e.g. a parent's) card.

Comparability with 2004-05 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)

Data for common items are considered directly comparable between the 2004-05 NATSIHS and 2012-13 NATSIHS. However, the 2004-05 NATSIHS did not collect DVA card information and therefore cannot be compared.

Comparability with the 2011-12 National Health Survey (NHS)

Data for common items are considered directly comparable between the 2011-12 NHS and 2012-13 NATSIHS. However, in the 2011-12 NHS only persons aged 18 years and over were asked questions about Government concession/entitlement cards. Furthermore, the questions were asked irrespective of locality, thus remote persons were asked health card questions. Both these points should be considered in any analysis between the surveys.

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