Brav

I am reading about Medicare and it says it does not cover ambulance services. But since the ambulance services are state run (am I correct?), is it just basically a 'public service' which would have zero charge anyway?

moneypenny20

If you are in QLD, you pay for the ambulance service automatically through your leccy bill - because that makes sense Anywhere else you have to take out ambulance cover and it's a must in my opinion. People on here have not had it, needed it and then been handed a huge bill. You will be charged if you use one, unless in QLD.

Brav

Two things - 1) what is a leccy bill 2) how much is the coverage, generally?

Vin 'n Bin

Leccy bill is the Electricity bill...they pay a 'levy' in their leccy bill in Queensland to pay for ambulance cover.
Here in Perth, the only 'private' insurance I have is Ambulance cover, which costs me $25 dollars a year...and covers me Australia wide, including Royal Flying Doctor

moneypenny20

sorry. Electricity Bill. Just dug out a bill.

Community Ambulance Cover - 26.773c/day - 96 days = $25.70 - that's obviously each quarterly bill.

We are right at the bottom of QLD and twice now have needed an ambo for first born, each time we've been taken to a NSW hospital - being closest and not had a charge for that.

I have no idea how much everyone else pays in other states but do know it's been mentioned before so if you try a search for ambulance cover, you should get some idea. Oh should add, that amount covers everyone who lives at this address.

Brav

Oh, that's good to know. Thanks. I'm actually from the US not UK (isn't really a US-OZ forum). Quite interesting to see the differences in how healthcare/public safety matters are handled.

Vin 'n Bin

I think I've been quite lucky in the 36 years I've been here.
Any specialists I have had to see I have had an appointment
within 3 weeks and in some cases just a week. All my operations have been done promptly. Just a very small fee to pay.
In the past 6 months I have had 2 CT scans, 3 Ultrasounds, 2 MRI scans and umpteen X-rays. In every case I haven't had to pay a cent
I do know that many people have had to wait for some time for appointments so it's not quite all beer and skittles

Cheetah7

How does ambulance insurance work out in Perth/WA?

Vin 'n Bin

I did mine with Medibank Private. It can be done with other insurers of course but I have always been with Medibank Private, even in South Australia
They have offices all over the place, especially in large shopping centres, so I just went into one of the offices and signed up

Cheetah7

I might see if I can get a quote for Mr PP and myself.

Vin 'n Bin

My ambulance cover is for a single person...OH is insured up to his eyeballs and never uses it .
It isn't much more for two or more people for ambulance cover
All the very best PP

Cheetah7

Ive found a quote for just under $50 between us. Its a bit confusing with the percentage of government rebates or whatever it is.

I shall wait till we get there I think

teza

You can get ambo cover as part of your private health insurance, or you can, if opting not to get private health insurance, just get ambo cover, have a look at
http://www.ambulance.net.au/content....ambulancecover

Ambulance trip, even for few km's can be very expensive, my friend got charged about $250 for a 6km trip for her son.
Private health, major companies have been mentioned here, but to my mind comes NIB, HBF, Medibank Private etc, I'm sure BE's can give you their opinions.
There are comparision websites such as http://www.iselect.com.au that you can use, if not to make up your mind but to give you an idea of the prices and policies.

Cheetah7

I shall have a look at that.

tum

So, if you live in Queensland you pay for ambulance cover through your electricity bill. But you still have to have additional cover when going to another state?

Whereas as you live outside Queensland and you take out ambulance cover, you are covered nationwide for only AUD 25 a year.