What are out-of-pocket costs on hospital cover?
Informed Financial Consent is your right to know what you’ll need to pay upfront before you receive any hospital treatment as a private patient, and to receive this information in writing. It’s important to ask your treating doctor, the hospital and us about any out-of-pocket expenses you may have to pay.
Ask your treating doctor or specialist:
How much is your fee?
Do you participate in the Access Gap scheme under the Australian Health Service Alliance (AHSA)?
If I have to pay a gap, how much will that be?
What are my options if I can’t afford to pay this gap?
Which other doctors and medical staff will be involved in my treatment, e.g. radiologist, anaesthetist, assistant?
How can I get information about assisting doctors’ fees and Access Gap participation?
Will I receive just one bill?
If I am receiving a surgically implanted device or prosthesis, is it a Government approved device (covered by Union Health) or will I have to pay a gap?
What are the MBS item numbers for this procedure? (see “Ask us” section below)
Ask your hospital:
Does this hospital have any agreement with Union Health?
Will I have to pay a gap for my hospital accommodation?
What other out-of-pocket expenses apply during my time in hospital?
Ask us:
My doctor gave me these MBS item numbers for my procedure or service. Does my policy cover me for this?
Under my policy, will I have to pay an excess or any other charges? If so, how much?
Will I have to pay extra for my hospital accommodation, my doctor’s fees, and any assisting doctors’ fees, or is it all covered by my policy?
If I have to pay extra, who do I pay, and when?
Find out more about paying your hospital fees.
