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Ambulance cover simplified: What is Ambulance Cover through a health insurer?
By
AAMI
02 January 2018
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 (8.30am–6pm AEST/AEDT, Mon–Fri).
2 & 6 Month Wait Waived on Extras when you take out combined Hospital and Extras cover by 28 February 2018. T&Cs apply. 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.
With private health insurance you won’t have to wait on public hospital waiting lists when you need treatment. In comparison, waiting times for treatment as a public patient in a public hospital under Medicare are on average: • 4 months for removal of tonsils (120 days)
• 1.5+ weeks for coronary bypass surgery (13 days)
• 3.5+ months for hip replacement surgery (114 days)
• 6+ months for knee replacement surgery (188 days)
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australian hospital statistics 2015-2016: elective surgery waiting times.
Medicare Levy Surcharge
The Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) is a government tax for singles earning over $90,000 or families (including couples and single-parents) earning over $180,000 who don’t have an appropriate level of private hospital insurance for the full financial year.
Holding any AAMI Health Insurance Hospital Cover product means you won’t pay the MLS if your income is above the government threshold.
Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading is a government charge which adds 2% on to the price you pay for Hospital Cover if you sign up after 30 June following your 31st birthday. The loading increases by 2% for every year you don’t join, up to a maximum of 70% and can only be removed after 10 years of continuous Hospital Cover.
For example, if you sign up at the age of 40 you’ll pay an extra 20% for your Hospital Cover compared to someone who joined aged 31.
Standard waiting periods
1 day: Accidental Injury; Emergency Ambulance.
2 months: Palliative Care; Rehabilitation; Psychiatric Treatment; Hospital Treatment not related to a pre-existing condition.
12 months: Pregnancy and Birth Services; Pre-existing Conditions: When a customer has shown symptoms of a condition during the 6 months prior to joining this health fund or upgrading their Hospital Cover. This does not apply to Palliative Care, Rehabilitation or Psychiatric services.
Not all of the above services are included with each level of Health Insurance cover. Waiting periods apply to customers not currently covered for these services. Use our Health Insurance comparison table to see the complete list of included and excluded services.
Cosmetic surgery
We don’t cover procedures or hospital costs associated with cosmetic procedures to enhance appearance.
AAMI Home Building and Home Contents Insurance, Landlord Insurance, Strata Insurance, Car Insurance, Motorcycle Insurance, NSW and ACT CTP Insurance, Caravan Insurance, Business Insurance and Travel Insurance are issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 AFSL 230859 (AAI) trading as AAMI. AAMI Life Insurance and Accidental Injury Insurance are issued by Suncorp Life & Superannuation Limited ABN 87 073 979 530, AFSL 229880 (SLSL) and are distributed by Suncorp Financial Services Pty Ltd ABN 50 010 844 621, AFSL 229885 (SFS) under the AAMI brand. AAMI Income Protection is issued by SLSL and distributed by SFS, under the brand AAMI, and AAI, who only issues the redundancy benefit. AAI trading as AAMI does not provide any financial product advice in relation to AAMI Life Insurance, Accidental Injury and Income Protection (except in relation to the redundancy benefit).
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. Registered Office, Level 28, 266 George St, Brisbane QLD 4000. Information provided is general advice only and has been prepared without taking into account any person’s particular objectives, financial situation or needs. Read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or Policy Document available at www.aami.com.au and consider whether it’s appropriate for you before making any decisions about whether to buy or continue to hold a product. Information current as of 9 July 2015.