Royal Flying Doctor Service
Submitted: Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 16:31
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66856
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Member - John B (NSW)
Can anyone tell me if you need any private health insurance for the RFDS.
I am in the nsw teachers health fund and they say they do not cover for RFDS.
Is it covered my medicare???
Reply By: Richard Kovac - Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 16:53
Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 16:53
John
I think you will fined the RFDS is a free service run by donations and Government money. But if for some reason you need them I'm sure they would appreciate a Donation.
Donate NowAbout UsMission Statement
Cheers
Richard
AnswerID:
354124
Reply By: Member - Teege (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 16:58
Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 16:58
John
From the RFDS (Queensland) website :- "Royal Flying Doctor Service is a not for profit organisation delivering a variety of health
services free of charge to those living, working or travelling throughout rural, remote and coastal Queensland." I can only assume it is the same throughout Oz.
teege
AnswerID:
354125
Reply By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 17:12
Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 17:12
RFDS is free, but ambulance transport to and from their
services isn't. Say you are flown to the nearest hospital, collected at the airport by an ambulance, you would have to pay for that ambulance.
AnswerID:
354126
Follow Up By: get outmore - Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 19:48
Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 19:48
Id
check that most health insurers only cover emergency transport - Possibly transport from the RFDS my be regarded as a patient transfer............... No cover
FollowupID:
622332
Follow Up By: Axel [ the real one ] - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 08:58
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 08:58
That ambulance you speak of is covered in Qld by the ambulance levy on every electricity bill ,
FollowupID:
622417
Follow Up By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 11:20
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 11:20
Does that mean all ambulances in QLD are "free" in the sense that, even if you don't pay for electricity you still get ambulance service without any addittional payment?
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: robak (QLD) - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 14:09
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 14:09
Fred,
The ambulance is not free. We pay the insurance levy with the electricity bill. If you don't live in a household that pays this levy then you are not covered.
FollowupID:
622475
Follow Up By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 14:28
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 14:28
Sorry, should have explained myself a little better. But yes, I get the idea... Thanks for the explanation.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 17:24
Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 17:24
I had a serious (but not life threatening) accident in rural SA in 2001.
I was transported from the accident site to a local hospital by ambulance.
From local hospital to
airstrip by ambulance.
From
airstrip to
Adelaide by RFDS.
From
Adelaide airort to Hospital by ambulance.
I recieved no bills.
If you want to take a picture of our OKA196 Motorhome (as many do), there is a gold coin donation requested into the RFDS collection tin that we carry for the purpose.
Never had a refusal.....
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome
AnswerID:
354129
Reply By: Motherhen - Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 17:58
Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 17:58
I can't clarify re the transfers, as we have
membership of our local St
John's. We have never been charged for transfers at the
Perth end either, have not had to fill in any forms to prove
membership, nor even been asked if we have
membership. It probably comes under 'inter-hospital transfers' for which the hospital sending the patient must pay the ambulance fee (in WA anyway).
As i understand it RFDS flights are basically covered by Medicare, but equipment and capital costs is from fund raising, including replacement planes.
Motherhen
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Ron M (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 20:10
Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 20:10
I was badly hurt in the Kimberlies in 98 , Flying doctor landed on the bitumen near fitzroy took me to
Derby , then to
Perth ..
No charge . From that day on I donate $1000 a year to the RFDS.
AnswerID:
354175
Reply By: Member - Heather G (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 20:50
Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 20:50
Hi
John,
I also am a member of Teachers Health (top hospital and extras) which covers me for ambulance. I would think you would be too, no matter what level of cover you have with them.
You should be able to clarify this with a phone call to them on Monday.
As you will see from others replies, RFDS should not cost you, so you shouldnt have any worries. They rely on donations and other fundraising I think. We donate at every opportunity when travelling in the outback but fortunately haven't had to use their
services to date.
Regards,
heather
AnswerID:
354186
Reply By: Member - John B (NSW) - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 08:44
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 08:44
Thank you one and all for your replies I have rung the health fund and I am covered for air and ambulance and hospital Australia wide but the reason I was concerned was an ad I saw and I quote:- "Not all health funds/States provide Australia wide coverage. Does it cover the Royal Flying Doctor Service? To avoid great financial hardship,
check your cover before leaving."
But I feel fine now we are heading to the Cape in July and just wanted to be sure.
John and Sue
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