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James Coyle

James has over 35 years experience in financial services with particular expertise in two of the key components of retirement finance - Superannuation and the Age Pension. He is passionate about providing the guidance and support that can help older Australians enjoy their best possible retirement. He lives in regional Victoria surrounded by dogs and chooks.

11 Comments

Trevor Jack Best on January 24, 2023 at 4:54 pm

We have not received a 2023 PBS card yet. – should we be worried.
(We need to change pharmacist).

Steven Sadler on January 25, 2023 at 8:20 am

Hi Trevor, thanks for reaching out! You will receive new cards 1 month before your current ones expire. If that does not happen you should call Centrelink on 132 300 to request new ones.
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Jenny on January 25, 2023 at 8:52 am

The prescriptions for Pensioners went up to help pay for the reduction in the pbs How unfair is this? We can’t afford this. Do they have any idea how hard it is for us as it is. ?

Susan on January 25, 2023 at 11:20 am

Hi Jenny, you’ve answered my question as my scripts have gone from $5.80 to $6.30, .50c doesn’t seem much but between the 2 of us it’s at least an extra $3 a month.
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Malcolm Curtis on January 25, 2023 at 8:54 am

Could you please tell me the difference between a health care card and a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card? Which card is Better?

David Janeway on January 25, 2023 at 9:09 am

Hi my name is David Janeway, I’m a self funded retiree, and receive no benefits, most people I talk to that receive all the benefits they are entitled to , normally say I earned to much when I was employed, my answer to them is no ,I say sorry I get penalised for having payed to much TAX , they have no answer to that , just wondering if I’m wrong
Kindest Regards D, Janeway

Susan on January 25, 2023 at 9:24 am

I’m confused, have prescriptions gone up or down. I used to pay $5.80 now I pay $6.30.

Ron on January 25, 2023 at 10:26 am

A lot of general patiens purchase perscription medications which cost less than $42.50, therefore they receive no assistance at all.

Phil on January 25, 2023 at 1:50 pm

Some chemists(Chemist Warehouse and Pharmacy 4 Less) charge $1 less than the std fee ($6.80 now $7.30).

Lyn Allen on January 26, 2023 at 10:36 pm

I am a self funded retiree so the reduction in cost is good for people with full cost scripts and chronic diseases such as asthma ,glaucoma, some diabetes medication as these were all$42.50 with the government subsidising the rest. However the safety net has not been adjusted to reflect the change and we need 52 full price scripts to reach concession scripts and those with a card only need 36 scripts before they are free for the rest of the year .I am old enough to remember when general patients paid $5per script and concession patients paid $2.50!