Learn how Medibank ambulance cover works, and see if it's right for you.
When comparing health insurance, it’s a good idea to pay special attention to how you’re covered for ambulance services. Without cover, the cost of ambulance services can potentially be enormous.
Many health funds will cover ambulance services as part of their hospital and extras policies, while many also offer standalone ambulance cover. However, in all cases, it’s important to be aware of the limitations and restrictions which may apply to your cover. Read on to learn more.
How does Medibank cover ambulance services?
All Medibank health insurance policies, including the hospital, extras and combined packages, offer some cover for ambulance services. In many cases, your ambulance cover under these policies will come with a two-month waiting period, so you will not be able to claim for ambulance services within two months of getting cover.
Medibank also offers standalone ambulance cover, with a seven-day waiting period, from $58.80 per year. This standalone ambulance cover is identical to what you get with Medibank’s health insurance policies.
What is covered
You are covered for emergency and medically necessary ambulance services with Medibank policies. This is only when the nature of your medical condition means another type of transport is not viable. You are covered in the following situations:
- When you need to be transported to a hospital or other approved facility in order to receive immediate professional attention.
- When, as an admitted patient, you are transferred to another hospital and can only be safely transported by ambulance. Benefits are only payable for transfers between private hospitals or between a public and private hospital. You are not covered for transfers between public hospital facilities as an admitted patient.
- When an ambulance is called to attend to you with immediate professional attention, but transport is not subsequently required.
- Air ambulance services with pre-approval from Medibank.
What's not covered
You are not covered for any ambulance services that do not meet the above criteria. This includes the following situations:
- Ambulance services where immediate professional attention is not required, such as general patient transportation.
- Inter-hospital transfers between public hospitals, as an admitted patient.
- Any ambulance services that are used when another method of transport is a reasonable alternative.
In addition, no benefits are payable for ambulance services that are covered in another way, such as by a state scheme or another third party.
How does Medibank's ambulance cover measure up?
The ambulance cover provided by Medibank may be a suitable option if it meets your needs, and you find the cost reasonable. It has the benefit of having no limits on the number or on the cost of services you can claim per year, unlike some other health funds.
It is not the most comprehensive ambulance cover available since it does not typically cover non-emergency ambulance transportation, such as non-medically necessary transport home from hospital or to a hospital for the routine management of an ongoing health issue.
If you want these, then you might want to specifically look at the cover available through your state ambulance service or with other health funds that offer cover for a wider range of ambulance services.
Do I really need ambulance cover?
If you are already covered for ambulance services in another way, then you do not need ambulance cover.
You already have ambulance cover in the following situations:
- You are a resident of Queensland or Tasmania. Residents of these states are covered for ambulance services through a state scheme.
- You are a resident of NSW or the ACT and have hospital cover from any health fund. The cost of hospital cover in these areas automatically includes cover for all required ambulance services.
- You are a pensioner, concession cardholder or DVA gold/white cardholder. Here, you may be covered in different ways depending on your card and your state. You may want to contact the relevant state department, or the DVA as relevant, for more information on how you are covered for ambulance services in your location.
If you have Medibank health insurance, you are generally covered for emergency ambulance services when necessary. If you’re looking for standalone ambulance cover, you may want to learn more about how it works in your area and compare the cost and cover offered by a range of providers.
