A Medicare Card is a green coloured plastic card which identifies the persons listed on it as eligible for rebates under the Medicare system when they are treated privately by a doctor. All permanent residents of Australia and the their families are eligble for a "Medicare Card" whether they are Australian Citizens or not. The card lists an individual as well as any members of his or her family he or she chooses to add. The card must be produced if the Medicare rebate is paid directly to the doctor under the bulk billing system. It is also necessary to gain access to the public hospital system to be treated at no cost as a public patient.