Choosing to be a private patient

What does it mean to be a public patient?  

If you choose to be a public patient, you: 

• Need to have a valid Medicare card
• Are treated and cared for by a doctor assigned to you (chosen) by us. This doctor can change across visits. A senior consultant (specialist) always oversees them 
• May need to pay for some hospital services. Our friendly staff will explain this to you

What does it mean to be a private patient? 

Choosing to be a private patient with us gives you more options: 

• You can choose the doctor you want treated by if they have an agreement to treat private patients with us 
• You can choose our assigned doctor to treat you. You can then choose for us to admit you as a private patient under this doctor’s care 
• You do not have to pay any private health insurance excess fees. We will cover this, or any co-payment required by your private health fund 
• You have no ‘out of pocket expenses’ for most services such as pathology and radiology
• Your private health insurance payment goes straight to the hospital. We use this to buy services and equipment. We also use it to improve the services we provide to the cancer community 
• You receive support from our liaison officer. Support includes hassle-free billing and answering all your questions. This includes questions about your accounts

Does being a private patient or public patient change wait times? 

No. Waiting times for appointments or treatments are not based on the health cover you have. 

What about medication costs? 

All patients, both public and private, will need to pay for their medications on discharge. 

Several cards can apply when buying your medications. These cards include Pension cards, health care cards and safety net numbers. If you hold any of these cards, please be sure to have these details with you. 

What services are not covered by private health insurance? 

There are some services not covered by private health insurance. Health insurance will not reimburse you for any of the following costs: 

• Nurse service
• Telephone calls from your hospital phone that are not local. To make long-distance calls you will need to buy a phone card from our front reception desk 
• Buying or hiring costs for any aids or equipment to make your home safer

What bills will I receive as a private patient? 

We will send your bills from us to Medicare and/or your private health insurance. 

Sometimes, we need to send our private patients to other hospitals for special tests. If this happens, and you receive a bill from the other hospital: 

1. Send these bills to our Private Patient Liaison Officer 
2. They will claim them for you. They will do so from Medicare and/or your private health insurance

Can I use my private health insurance in a public hospital? 

Yes, you pay for your private health insurance, and it is your right to choose when and where you would like to use it. 

I only have basic health insurance; can I still choose to be a private patient? 

Yes, some basic covers do cover you for inpatient treatment. Our Private Liaison Officers will confirm your coverage with your private health fund

If I am admitted as a public patient, can I change this over and become a private patient? 

Yes, ask to see the Private Patient Liaison Officer. They will answer all your questions and help change you from public to private.