Download Important questions to ask about your public hospital entitlements.

Important questions to
ask about your public
hospital entitlements.
What you should know before being admitted
into a public hospital.
We’rehereforyou
Be aware that you are under no obligation
to discuss your health insurance status.
This is your personal information.
Questions to ask the hospital.
Can I be admitted as a Public Patient?
What out of pocket expenses would I incur
if I’m privately insured?
Will I have access to a private room if I’m a
privately insured patient?
Aboutyourpublichospitalentitlements
All residents of Australia have access to a Public Hospital
under the Health Care Agreement between the Federal
and State Governments at no charge.
Access to a Public Hospital is provided on the basis of clinical need at the
time. Members of a Hospital Policy with a Private Health Fund may wish to
access a Public Hospital. It is your right to elect to be a public or private
patient. You need to establish the benefit of being a private patient in a
public hospital by considering:1 The Health Care Agreement requires you to be given a clear and
unambiguous explanation of what would happen if you elected to be a
public patient, ie:• That you would not be charged for hospital accommodation, medical
and other services.
• That you would be treated by a doctor nominated by the Hospital.
2 The Health Care Agreement requires you to be given a clear and
unambiguous explanation of what would happen if you elected to use
private health insurance, ie:• That you would be charged for hospital accommodation, medical
and other services.
• That your private health insurance may not fully cover all those charges.
• That you should seek advice from:
• the hospital,
• the doctor,
• and your health fund
regarding likely costs and how much your private health insurance
would cover.
• That you could choose your doctor provided that doctor has private
practice rights with the hospital.
Access as a public patient is free. In many areas there can be out of pocket
expenses when you elect to be a private patient. You need to be clear that you
will benefit from electing to be a private patient in a Public Hospital. A private
room is unlikely to be provided for a private patient in a Public Hospital.
For further information regarding your Public Hospital Entitlements.
Westfund Limited ABN 55 002 080 864.
A registered private health insurer under the
Private Health Insurance Act. A not for profit health fund.
J999
Call: 1300 552 132