If you are earning above $97,000 (as an individual) or $194,000 (as a couple) you may have to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge unless you have appropriate private hospital cover in place. Just having Private Extra's cover is not enough. The surcharge is calculated at the rate of 1% to 1.5% of your income for Medicare Levy Surcharge purposes and is in addition to the Medicare Levy of 2%, which most Australian taxpayers pay. (This is subject to a few things including income