Tax time - frequently asked questions

When will I receive my Tax Statement?
In July each year we send a Private Health Insurance Statement to everyone who has been a GMF Health member during the previous financial year.

What is a Private Health Insurance Statement?
This statement identifies you as a GMF Health member entitled to the Federal Government 30% Rebate on private health insurance provided you are eligible for full Medicare entitlements.

What Premiums are included on Private Health Insurance Statements?
Your tax statement includes how much you have paid in premiums during the financial year and the value of your rebate. It is issued in accordance with Government legislation and is sent to members regardless of whether they receive the rebate as a reduced premium, claim it via their tax return, or directly from Medicare.

What should I do with it?
In each Tax Pack there is a reference to a Private Health Insurance Statement for the Private Health Insurance Rebate. If you receive the rebate as a reduced premium or want to claim the rebate via your tax return you will need to retain this statement to complete your return. Alternatively, you can claim the rebate directly from Medicare – to do this you'll need to obtain a premium receipt from us.

What if I don't lodge a tax return? 
If you do not receive the rebate through reduced premiums you will need a receipt to claim your rebate from Medicare. If you do receive your rebate through reduced premiums and you are not lodging a tax return you only need to keep your Private Health Insurance Statement for your personal records.

Will it help me avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS)?
If you earn’t more than $73,000 a year as a single or $146,000 a year as a couple or family in the 09/10 financial year (for families this threshold increases by $1,500 per child from the second child onwards), then you will pay an extra 1% Medicare Levy Surcharge at tax time. Your Tax Statement may help you avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge, which applies to tax payers who don’t have private hospital insurance.

All GMF Health hospital covers meet the requirement to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge.

Can I claim the rebate as a reduced premium in the future?
Yes, all you need to do is fill in an application to receive the Federal Government 30% Rebate on private health insurance as a reduced premium.