Ambulance Cover Australia wide

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 20, 2014 at 21:26

ThreadID: 107382 Views:3371 Replies:3 FollowUps:16

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Member - Kay D (SA)

Australian Cover. Help we have been traveling for 10 years, and now want to have ambulance cover, and because of not having a fixed address we find it impossible to get any details or costs. HELP please. Who do we insure with???
Cheers KD

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Reply By: Member - Bruce and Di T (SA) - Sunday, Apr 20, 2014 at 22:35

Sunday, Apr 20, 2014 at 22:35

Try SA Ambulance Service.

http://www.saambulance.com.au/ProductsServices/AmbulanceCoverExtras.aspx

From their page.

Note: Ambulance Cover is intended for permanent residents of South Australia. Non-South Australian residents may join ACE at the discretion of SAAS.

Di

AnswerID: 530949

Reply By: Bazooka - Sunday, Apr 20, 2014 at 23:30

Sunday, Apr 20, 2014 at 23:30

Most health funds have ambulance cover but I don't know if they require a fixed address b efore they'll register you. If I'm not mistaken ambulance cover is reciprocal no matter which state or territory you're in - but that's for you to check. Pensioners often get a discount.

Here's one view from lets-getaway.com:
Am I covered for ambulance service when I travel interstate ?

State/Territory Residents and Ambulance Cover

Ambulance schemes can vary depending on the state or territory of residence.

NSW and ACT - In NSW and the ACT, individuals are fully covered for ambulance services if they contribute to a Hospital cover. Those who have only extras cover ie, without hospital cover, may have limited cover for emergency transportation.

TAS - Tasmanian residents do not need to pay for ambulance cover, as Ambulance Tasmania offers a free service to the state’s residents. Exceptions may apply in motor vehicle or workplace accidents where the insurance policies of those involved cover the costs.

QLD - Prior to 1 July 2011, Queenslanders paid the Community Ambulance Cover Levy, which was added to electricity bills. From 1 July 2011, every Queensland resident has access to free ambulance cover, and this applies even if they are temporarily outside their home state.

VIC, SA, NT & WA - Residents of these regions can obtain emergency ambulance coverage under Hospital and/or Extras cover.

Disclaimer: As terms and conditions may change in the states or territories, you should make your own enquiry with your ambulance provider or private health fund to satisfy yourself that you and your family are covered whilst travelling nationwide.

Check also whether you are covered for air (aeromedical) ambulance in the case of an ‘emergency’ and even for ‘non-emergency’ as there may be a difference between being covered for ambulance transport by road or by air.

AnswerID: 530950

Follow Up By: olcoolone - Tuesday, Apr 22, 2014 at 08:49

Tuesday, Apr 22, 2014 at 08:49

There are three types of ambulance cover, one that you take out with the actual ambulance service, another that you get when you have private health and the third type is if your involved in a motor accident.

The ambulance cover you take out with the actual ambulance service is the best type and the most comprehensive that covers patient or guardian selective transfers from one hospital to another multiply times. All ambulance services in Australia work with each other so one fee covers all of Australia no matter what.

All Private health funds will only cover you to the nearest hospital unless they can not treat you to a standard the doctors requires, if you do get transferred it's at the doctors discretion to what hospital..... patient or guardian selective transfers are not covered.

Motor accident is similar to private health and you have no say what so ever.

So in a nut shell, if you fall ill or have an accident in Broome WA and your family is in Melbourne you will have to pay for the transfer to a local Melbourne hospital costing $$$$$ BUT if you have cover with the actual ambulance service they will cover the costs.

Air ambulance is classed the same as a standard road ambulance.

Medicare covers no ambulance services even in an emergency like a heart attack or stroke.... you have to pay out of your pocket.

But always check before making a decision and check the PDS to find if the product is suitable to your needs.

Here is a bit on Queensland Ambulance Service regarding interstate visitors.....

https://ambulance.qld.gov.au/visitors.html

FollowupID: 814021

Reply By: Motherhen - Monday, Apr 21, 2014 at 09:10

Monday, Apr 21, 2014 at 09:10

Hi KD

I can't find the details from my research at the moment. Joining in my home town allows reciprocal arrangements with other states. I think it is the Northern Territory that claim direct just as if in your home state, whereas in some states you have to pay the price and claim it back from your membership branch or state.

You should be able to join St John Ambulance without having a fixed address.

The RFDS is free to use - donations welcomed.

Motherhen

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AnswerID: 530956

Follow Up By: KevinE - Monday, Apr 21, 2014 at 09:29

Monday, Apr 21, 2014 at 09:29

Hi MH,

Not too sure about RFDS being free unless you do have ambulance cover; I had to be airlifted from Jackson OF to Broken Hill with a fractured spine once & received a very large bill from RFDS via the NSW ambulance service.

Maybe it's changed since then?

Cheers,

Kevin :=)

FollowupID: 813953

Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Apr 21, 2014 at 09:45

Monday, Apr 21, 2014 at 09:45

I have never heard of that - not when my family have been airlifted, nor when I used to work in hospitals.

Thanks for letting me know Kevin. How long ago was your airlift?

Mh

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FollowupID: 813955

Follow Up By: K&FT - Monday, Apr 21, 2014 at 10:36

Monday, Apr 21, 2014 at 10:36

We recently found that if you have a health care card you may be entitled to free ambulance cover anywhere in Aus. Check with centrelink to get the details.

frank

FollowupID: 813959

Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Apr 21, 2014 at 11:06

Monday, Apr 21, 2014 at 11:06

Hi Frank

I can only speak for Western Australian St John Ambulance, where subsidies as outlined are covered by the WA State Government. I am not aware of any Centrelink payments.

WA Residents aged over 65
• WA Full Aged Pensioners are entitled to free
ambulance transport, where it is deemed medically
necessary (exception being a transfer between
hospitals where one or both is private hospital).
• WA residents who are aged 65 and over, but do not
receive a Pension from Centrelink, are not entitled
to free ambulance transport. They will receive a
50% discount on their ambulance account.

Other Pensioners aged under 65
• Pensioners receiving a Disability, Single Parent or
Carers pension or other Centrelink pension may
be entitled to a 50% discount on their ambulance
account.
Health Care Card holders are not entitled to
any discount or concession.

Mh

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FollowupID: 813961

Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Apr 21, 2014 at 11:16

Monday, Apr 21, 2014 at 11:16

Hi Kevin

From Rural and Regional Health

Royal Flying Doctor Service
What it does
The Australian Government funds the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) to provide ‘traditional’ services in rural and remote Australia, including:
health care clinics
primary aero-medical evacuations
provision of medical chests
remote consultations.

The RFDS provides traditional services through four Operational Sections. These are:
South Eastern Section – servicing NSW, north east area of South Australia and south west area Queensland
Queensland Section – servicing Queensland
Central Operations – servicing South Australia and NT (south of Tennant Creek)
Western Operations – servicing Western Australia.

In addition to traditional services, the Australian Government helps provide additional primary health care services to the Bass Strait islands.

Services are provided free-of-charge to all Australian residents.
What it achieves
The RFDS provides emergency aeromedical evacuations and other essential primary health care services for those who live, work or travel in remote and rural Australia.

Mh

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FollowupID: 813962

Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Apr 21, 2014 at 11:27

Monday, Apr 21, 2014 at 11:27

One more question Kevin - was your charge for land ambulance to the plane? This is normally covered by the hospital from where the patient leaves, but in your case it appears you were not admitted to a hospital first.

Mh

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FollowupID: 813963

Follow Up By: oldtrack123 - Tuesday, Apr 22, 2014 at 09:15

Tuesday, Apr 22, 2014 at 09:15

HI
You need to take great care in ensuring you are covered in all states & territories
The recpricol arrangements are not universal!

Best check yourself, with your present home state
Then double check with the other States so you do not get any unpleasent surprises
Health fund generally do not cover Qld
Qld residency does cover most states but not necessaily vic versa
But that cover is only to the nearest hospital in true emergencies
I am not shore where Air ambulance would fit in

PeterQ

FollowupID: 814023

Follow Up By: KevinE - Tuesday, Apr 22, 2014 at 14:28

Tuesday, Apr 22, 2014 at 14:28

My airlift was in 1990, so things may have changed.

I was based at Jackson & working out of Naccowlah. We were building the pumps over oil wells, I was using a flogging spanner on the top of a beam pump & fell - hit the rim of an old 44 gallon drum with my lower back on the way down - Ouch! :(

RFDS were sensational, I certainly wasn't expecting the $1,200+ bill that I received though (think 1990 wages)

I sent the bill to my employer & they must have paid it, as I never heard anything more about it.

Re was it for the Airlift or the Ambulance? I'm going from memory, but I'm pretty sure it was a combined bill for both from the NSW Ambulance Service.

FollowupID: 814034

Follow Up By: Motherhen - Tuesday, Apr 22, 2014 at 14:32

Tuesday, Apr 22, 2014 at 14:32

The pecking order Kevin. Where Workers Comp applies, that pays, not Medicare.

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FollowupID: 814035

Follow Up By: garrycol - Tuesday, Apr 22, 2014 at 16:06

Tuesday, Apr 22, 2014 at 16:06

This thread prompted me to get ambulance cover as I recently dropped medical insurance.

Some medical funds providing Ambulance Cover do cover for the RFDS and others do not.

So I could decide whether I needed cover for RFDS type incidents I rang the head office and then was put through to the Broken Hill Office - rang at about 12.15 EST today.

The RFDS categorically do not charge patients for medical emergencies for which they respond to. There may be charges by State ambulance authorities at either end which should be covered by your Ambulance cover.

The RFDS do charge $1900 per hour for non emergency functions such as catching a lift on one of their aircraft.

Cheers

Garry

FollowupID: 814043

Follow Up By: Motherhen - Tuesday, Apr 22, 2014 at 16:10

Tuesday, Apr 22, 2014 at 16:10

"The RFDS do charge $1900 per hour for non emergency functions such as catching a lift on one of their aircraft."

I never thought of calling the RFDS instead of a taxi *LOL*

Motherhen

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FollowupID: 814044

Follow Up By: K&FT - Wednesday, Apr 23, 2014 at 19:51

Wednesday, Apr 23, 2014 at 19:51

I found this on the NSW ambulance site. I too would advocate checking to make sure what cover you actually have before travelling.

We found that our top hospital cover provides cover for all ambulance transport where clinically required.

http://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/Calling-an-Ambulance/Frequently-Asked-Questions.html

hope that helps

frank

FollowupID: 814095

Follow Up By: K&FT - Wednesday, Apr 23, 2014 at 19:55

Wednesday, Apr 23, 2014 at 19:55

This link gives even more detail about accounts and charges/concessions.

http://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/accounts--fees/frequently-asked-questions.html

frank

FollowupID: 814096

Follow Up By: olcoolone - Thursday, Apr 24, 2014 at 08:37

Thursday, Apr 24, 2014 at 08:37

Health funds will not cover transportation unless in an emergency or deemed necessary. They will only cover costs to the nearest hospital that can provide the services you need or on the doctors advice.

Health funds will not cover transfers to another hospital if you request it... like being closure to your family and this includes interstate and country. So if you feel ill interstate and you needed hospitalisation for 2 months the only way you could get transferred back to your home state is if you pay the costs yourself...... If you had ambulance cover with one of the ambulance providers you would get this for FREE.

The agreement health funds have with the ambulance providers is not general cover, it's more of a token gesture to get you to the closest medical treatment you require.

For what you get Ambulance cover with the ambulance provider is dirt cheap.

FollowupID: 814123

Follow Up By: Motherhen - Thursday, Apr 24, 2014 at 09:03

Thursday, Apr 24, 2014 at 09:03

In every town or area we have lived in (all rural), we have joined the local St John Ambulance to support them. In rural areas they are run and staffed by volunteers. Even if we have had other cover, we still support our local branch with membership which is very cheap. It is a bonus that we know this will help us should be need a road ambulance while on our travels. With a family, over the years we have had occasion to need an ambulance, as well as to need the RFDS; more often the latter.

Mh

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FollowupID: 814127