Ambulance cover simplified: What is Ambulance Cover through a health insurer?

People often make the mistake of thinking that ambulance transportation is covered by Medicare, but for many Australians it isn’t. Residents of Queensland and Tasmania are covered by a state based ambulance scheme, but if you live anywhere else in Australia and need emergency ambulance transport, you could be facing big out-of-pocket expenses if you don’t have private health insurance. With the cost of emergency ambulance transport in 2015–16 being over $800 in some states, more if you live outside inner-urban areas, it pays to have Ambulance Cover. After all, your health should be the only thing you’re worried about in an emergency – not your bank balance. 

You’re covered for ambulance trips and call-out fees

 AAMI Health Insurance’s Hospital and Extras Cover includes Unlimited Emergency Ambulance Cover – so you can relax knowing that for those unexpected emergency ambulance trips, our cover has you covered. If you need medical attention and your condition means that you can’t be transported in another way, you’re covered for:

• Unlimited emergency ambulance transport to hospital provided by a state or territory ambulance service.
• Emergency ambulance call-out fees (where the customer is treated at the scene by paramedics and it is determined that transport to hospital in not required).
• Transport between hospitals when the transfer is required as a result of the existing hospital not specialising in the treatment required.

Hospital cover means peace of mind after the ambulance trip

State-based ambulance insurance will cover you for ambulance transport only, limiting your treatment choices once you’ve arrived at a public hospital. This means you may be placed on a waiting list if it’s assessed you need elective surgery. Whereas, with AAMI Health Insurance Hospital Cover not only are you covered for emergency ambulance transport when you need it most, you also have the security of knowing that your private health insurance provides added benefits like: 

• Avoiding long public hospital waiting lists.
• Access to treatment in a private hospital.
• Your choice of specialist for elective treatments.

Compare cover to get what you need

AAMI Health Insurance values Emergency Ambulance Cover, so much so that it’s included in all levels of our cover, from Starter to Premium, and Hospital to Extras. With AAMI Health Insurance’s unlimited emergency ambulance transport there is a one-day waiting period on claims because we believe you should be covered regardless of when, or how often you need it.

We’ve made it simple and easy to see which Hospital or Extras Cover best suits your lifestyle and budget. By using our straight-forward AAMI Health Insurance comparison guide, you can compare our cover to see which best meet your needs – whether that’s Hospital Cover, Extras Cover, or both.

Or, have a chat with one of our friendly AAMI Health Insurance Team by calling 13 22 44 (8am-6pm Mon-Fri AEST/AEDT, Closed Weekends and Public Holidays).

Find out more about AAMI Health Insurance here.

AAMI Health Insurance is issued by nib health funds limited ABN 83 000 124 381 (nib) a registered private health insurer, and is arranged by Suncorp Insurance Ventures Pty Ltd ABN 53 158 182 042 (SIV), for which SIV receives commission.