Originally Posted by k1rsty

Well im just gonna wait for them to get in touch i have no money to pay for it but i dont want it hanging over my head or to cause any issues if/ when i get sponsored. I was in the process of sorting out cover but didnt get there in time!!! What happens if i wasnt to pay does any one know???

Originally Posted by k1rsty

Well im just gonna wait for them to get in touch i have no money to pay for it but i dont want it hanging over my head or to cause any issues if/ when i get sponsored. I was in the process of sorting out cover but didnt get there in time!!! What happens if i wasnt to pay does any one know???

Originally Posted by unfair dinkum

Why isn't it covered by the medicare levy?
it seems a pretty basic need to call an ambulance eg when you're having a heart attack, so it should be covered by medicare.
fair enough to get a bill if you'ere abusing the system, but otherwise, it's a complete rip off.
Australians put up with it cos they don't know anything else...
doesn't make it right

Originally Posted by Vash the Stampede

I'd say the real ripoff would be paying for an ambulance service you never end up using. At least the current system means that the only people who pay for it are the people who use it. Sounds fair to me.

My wife and I don't have private health insurance or ambo cover. Never needed it.

Originally Posted by Gems

If you are transfered from one public hospital to another for medical reasons its free.
Daughter had ambulance from local hospital to airport, RFDS flight, another from airport to Perth kids hospital. All free.
Public patients if they need to be transfered to another public hospital, then the ambulance should be free and the hospital organises it all.

Thats assuming you have a medicare card.

Gems

Originally Posted by paulry

The only thing that puts me off ambulance insurance is the thought that another bunch of insurance fat cats and others are skimming off a good pecentage of our premiums.

Originally Posted by hevs

errm? How do you know that you, or you children WONT need an ambulance at some point?

Originally Posted by moneypenny20

It's not like other insurance though, it's a relatively small amount that's the same for everyone near as dammit. I think we've had our money's worth (sadly).

Originally Posted by paulry

The only thing that puts me off ambulance insurance is the thought that another bunch of insurance fat cats and others are skimming off a good pecentage of our premiums. Money that could better be spent on the service itself if they were provided/paid for by the state. And lets face it none of us knows when we'll need an ambulance but sooner or later during the course of our lifetimes we'll all have to ride in one at least a couple of times. So as it is here and now it's a choice of lining the pockets of fat cats or being zapped with a hefty bill just when we're likely to be at our most vulnerable

Originally Posted by unfair dinkum

like most things in Aus, it's a friggin rip off
we pay ambulance cover
and health insurance
I often wonder whether we actually need the latter but you know...when in Rome

Originally Posted by Rambi

In Vic you can get cover from the ambulance service itself. You don't have to go through an insurance company.

Originally Posted by paulry

Now that sounds better

Originally Posted by bcworld

Except from what I can see it costs 2 - 3 times as much!

Originally Posted by paulry

Originally Posted by bcworld

http://www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/Families.html

Family Ambulance Cover - $150pa
HCF Vic Ambulance Cover - $61.85pa

HCF Ambulance Cover provides cover for 100% emergency ambulance services, including air ambulance, to the nearest appropriate hospital able to provide the level of care required. You're also covered for non-emergency transport by ambulance, state government services only, up to $5,000 per person per calendar year. With HCF Ambulance Cover you’re covered Australia wide.