Ambulance Cover

[Miss E]

We have it through our PHI, but there are some conditions on it... Something about only for emergencies... So we decided it was better to be 100% sure that we were covered no matter what the circumstances and have also taken it out with Ambulance Victoria. We just got our renewal and it was only $75 for the year, and that's for a family.

[~ Mylitta ~]

We have it through our PHI, but there are some conditions on it... Something about only for emergencies... So we decided it was better to be 100% sure that we were covered no matter what the circumstances and have also taken it out with Ambulance Victoria. We just got our renewal and it was only $75 for the year, and that's for a family.

I was told something similar a few years ago when I had to go to hospital. My Mum had driven me because I didn't have ambulance cover. The nurse at the hospital told us that if I had told the paramedics I felt like I was having trouble breathing, then that would have made it covered under most PHI's. Secondhand info though, so can't comment on how accurate that might be.

[Cranky Kitten]

I was told something similar a few years ago when I had to go to hospital. My Mum had driven me because I didn't have ambulance cover. The nurse at the hospital told us that if I had told the paramedics I felt like I was having trouble breathing, then that would have made it covered under most PHI's. Secondhand info though, so can't comment on how accurate that might be.

To be honest though emergency as far as ambulance services are concerned doesn't always mean the "oh gods, about to die" that we think it does. The majority of trips where you are subsequently seen by hospital ER would be covered without issue, I think that wording is mainly in there to deter people from using ambulance services in lieu of going to their GP for general illness. Which apparently happens reasonably frequently in Brisbane, at least according to my brother who is a paramedic there.

I found it interesting that my health fund offers an optional add-on for non-urgent or "elective" ambulance services to cover pre-booked call outs etc - am struggling a bit to see a need for it except maybe for those with long term or chronic medical problems and a lack of alternative options.

I think it'd be a question worth asking when considering different insurers though - what would be classified as non-urgent and how that is decided...

[Miss E]

Actually just thinking about it now, my PHI has it as covered 'when medically necessary'. Who knows what that means

Also, I'm shocked to hear NSW Ambulance Service doesn't offer you membership like the other states.

[Cranky Kitten]

WA doesn't do it anymore either - all done through PHI companies.