Ambulance Cover: Do You Need It?

Insuring your most valuable asset

While many people would consider their home or their car to be their most valuable asset, it's your ability to earn an income that is most important in shaping your financial future. Statistically, two thirds of working Australians will suffer an injury or illness that will sideline them for 90 days or more. The majority of these people would not be able to pay their mortgage or meet car finance and other loan commitments without adequate income insurance.

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• You must be transported to hospital or other approved medical facility by ambulance in order to receive immediate medical attention.
• As an already admitted patient, you must be transferred to a separate hospital or facility for certain medical procedures.
• You have called for an ambulance, but before it arrives you have received immediate professional care, then ambulance transport is no longer going to be covered.
• An ambulance has been called, but in the meantime you receive immediate professional attention, then transport to the hospital is no longer covered.
• When an air ambulance is required, you are covered when pre-approval has been obtained.

• When any ambulance expense in already fully covered by private ambulance cover or state/territory ambulance plan. However, excess costs may be covered when the existing ambulance plan does not pay for the full amount of the services.
• When you are transferred from one public hospital or approved center to another by ambulance while an admitted patient.
• Once you are discharged from a hospital, you may not collect ambulance benefits for transportation.
• When, as an admitted patient, you must be transported to another hospital for treatment because the admitting hospital does not have the facilities to care properly for you. Sometimes, the admitting hospital that orders your transfer will pick up the ambulance bill for you.
• If you are 65 and live in WA, you are eligible for free or subsidized ambulance services. If you are eligible for subsidized services, you may be able to claim any uncovered cost from Medibank.
• Residents of NSW ACT who already pay an ambulance levy as a part of your health insurance premium, and you are entitled to state ambulance cover, and if you have a Commonwealth concession card, you may be exempt from paying the state ambulance fee.

Published: Sunday, 1st Aug 2021
Author: 273