Ambulance Cover

[krysalyss]

Was just about to post what Jellyfish said. Of course we pay for it in some way through taxes but is no longer on the electricity bill.

[nickle730]

I can only speak for Vic, other states may differ...

Emergency cover, as defined by PHI, means that you are transported to hospital by one of Ambulance Victoria's emergency ambulance's. Many PHI's will not cover you if the ambulance turns up but it is determined that the patient does not require transport to hospital - this is deemed not to be an emergency. Similarly, if you require transport by a non-emergency ambulance (patient transport vehicle) you will not be covered. Non-emerg vehicles are responded for things which are deemed to be non-urgent, such as pre-booked appointments. You might think you won't need non-emerg transport as you have access to private vehicles. Perhaps you will suffer a back injury and suffer chronic pain. You may need transport to hospital initially, by an emergency ambulance. You will be taken to A&E and this will be covered by PHI. The first hospital finds you a bed in a private hospital. You will be transported by a patient transport vehicle (non emerg). The cost of the inter hospital transfer will be covered by the hospital. A week later, you are ready for discharge. You go home in a private vehicle, but two days later you are still in extreme pain and your doctor arranges for you to be re-admitted to the private hospital for further pain management. You can't sit in a car due to your pain. You will be transported back to the private hospital by a non-emerg stretcher vehicle and the cost will be borne by... you.

Currently, the cost of an ambulance attendance in Vic is around $600. If you are not transported and you don't have ambulance cover or complete cover through you PHI (or some unions), you are liable for this cost. Without cover, transport costs a minimum of about $1000. And if you are unlucky enough to require an ambulance in a remote area and need helicopter transport... Thousands and thousands!!

Pension card holders, health care card holders, TAC if a road accident and Workcover if a work accident will all cover the cost of ambulance attendance and/or transport.

Ambulance Vic have just halved the cost of membership. Now is a good time to get covered if you don't have a HCC/pension card.

[Kazzo]

When you have it all figured out Beansneans make sure you pop back in here and let me know who is the best to go with. I startet looking into this the other day and with DH away I have not got the time to sit on the phone to multiple PHI companies. Your leg work would be very appreciated

[beansbeans!]

When you have it all figured out Beansneans make sure you pop back in here and let me know who is the best to go with. I startet looking into this the other day and with DH away I have not got the time to sit on the phone to multiple PHI companies. Your leg work would be very appreciated

Will do!
I havent got round to calling anyone yet, Im still googling them all and getting nowhere. But the plan is to get it all done before the week is out. Although I keep comig up with the excuse that I havent called because the girls wont give me the time to call, but really I dont want them getting all my details then calling me for weeks to come for their commission

[Kazzo]

Yeah, that is the worst, I was doing the ring around for life insurance for DH and the amount of times they call back after you say no thanks erks me.

[BrightSparkles]

MIne is through NIB - I only have ambulance cover - not PHI as such.
IT's $80 for all 4 of us for the year and it's already paid for itself this year with both DH and I have abulance trips this year ($600 for mine and I wasn't even taken to hospital, that was just for them to come out and waiting for DHs Bill)

[beansbeans!]

sunshine, Thats the sort of cover we're looking for. I'll have to gie NIB a call tomorrow and see what they can offer us.

kazzo, I rang HCF this arvo and they have cover for families for $61.85. But then the lady pushed it and tried to sell me added cover, a cash back policy which covers the costs of the hospital visit. But its another $96 on top. Still pretty cheap but I hate it when they try and up sell me, always turns me off the deal. But now Im thinking about it, but I shall keep calling round

[Kazzo]

Thanks for the info Beansbeans and sorry for been rude and not replying earlier. I called a couple of places too and HCF has been the best for us too.

[BeautifulMadness]

My PHI is exactly what nickel said...ill get around to getting abmo cover...as its dropped.


its all very confusing