If you end up in emergency at a private hospital there are some costs to be aware of:
- Private hospital emergency department fees
- Hospital excess if you’re admitted as a private patient
- Any outpatient fees if you’re not admitted
- Costs for any prescriptions or other services
If you attend a public hospital:
It’s your right to be seen as a public patient. If you receive treatment as a public patient in a public hospital emergency department, these fees are covered by Medicare.
If you elect to be seen as a private patient in a public hospital emergency department you may have to pay out‑of‑pocket costs for your treatment.
Emergency fees
Some private hospitals offer an emergency ward. Many of these hospitals charge a fee to patients to be seen in their emergency department. Private Emergency Department Attendance fees are claimable on selected Frank covers.
Please check your product fact sheet for eligibility.
Hospital excess
If eligible, private hospital insurance covers you when you’re formally admitted to a hospital as a private patient. You will have to pay an excess upon admission.
What is an excess?
An excess is the amount you pay when you are admitted to hospital as a private patient. Excess fees allow us to keep your membership premiums low. The most you’ll pay for your excess is $750 per person per year (up to a max of $1500 for a family).
Cover in hospital
Private hospital insurance covers you if you are admitted formally into a facility as a private patient. Once you are admitted to a ward (not just monitoring in emergency), you become an ‘inpatient’. Once you’re an inpatient, your eligible Frank health insurance covers the cost of your stay including things like medical needs, theatre and equipment. These are charged directly to Frank.
If you visit an emergency department, but you are not admitted after being assessed you will be considered an outpatient and any associated costs won’t be paid for by Frank.
Learn more about visits to hospital with Frank’s Going to Hospital guide.
Emergency ambulance cover
Emergency ambulance is covered on all Frank hospital policies as well as some extras. Ambulance subscriptions are covered on some closed Frank extras policies (no longer for sale). For specific information regarding your coverage, please check your product fact sheet.
It’s important to keep in mind that ambulance trips are classified as either emergency or non-emergency transport (between hospitals), and ambulance trips aren't covered by Medicare. To make sure you’re covered for all necessary ambulance trips make sure you have the right cover for where you live. Learn more
