What happens if I need to go to hospital?
If you’re registered with Medicare, you can be treated as a public patient in a public hospital, with treatment covered. In emergencies, this is usually where you’ll be taken.
If you have private health insurance, you may choose to be treated as a private patient in a public or private hospital. Private treatment can offer more choice and, for some procedures, shorter waiting times, but out-of-pocket costs may apply.
Knowing your options before you need care can help you make informed decisions.
Before you go to hospital
Before planned hospital treatment, it can help to:
- ask your doctor or specialist about all treatment options
- understand whether you’ll be treated as a public or private patient
- ask about any potential out-of-pocket costs charged by the doctor and the hospital
- check your cover and support options in advance
Knowing what to expect can help you feel more confident and in control at a time that can otherwise feel stressful.
Support is available to help you understand your options before hospital treatment, so you’re not navigating the system alone
Choice and control over care
One of the biggest differences after leaving the ADF is the level of choice you have in your health care.
As a public patient, Medicare covers your treatment, but decisions about timing, location and treating doctor are managed by the public system.
As a private patient, you may have more choice over:
- your treating doctor or specialist
- the hospital where you receive care
- the timing of planned treatment
Private health insurance can support this choice, but it’s important to understand what your cover includes and whether any out-of-pocket costs may apply.
Public and private hospital care
After leaving the ADF, hospital care works differently to what you may be used to.
If you’re registered with Medicare, you can be treated as a public patient in a public hospital. This means:
- treatment is covered by Medicare
- you don’t pay hospital accommodation or treatment costs
- you usually won’t be able to choose your doctor or specialist
Public hospitals prioritise care based on medical urgency. For planned procedures that are not considered urgent, waiting times can vary by condition, location and hospital.
Planned treatment and waiting times
Planned hospital treatment, such as joint replacements or elective procedures, is managed differently outside the ADF.
In the public system, planned procedures are placed on waiting lists and treated according to clinical urgency. In some cases, this can mean longer waits for non-urgent procedures.
You may also choose to be treated as a private patient, either in a public or private hospital. This can allow:
- more choice over where you’re treated
- the ability to choose your doctor or specialist
- greater certainty around timing for planned treatment
Out-of-pocket costs may apply for private treatment, depending on your level of cover and the providers’ fees for the admission and / or treatment.
Private hospital treatment
Private hospital treatment may offer:
- shorter waiting times for some procedures
- the ability to schedule treatment at a time that suits you
- more control over your care pathway
Waiting times and availability can vary, so it’s important to discuss options with your doctor or specialist.
Want to know more about private hospital cover?
Book a 1:1 phone consult with us to explore your options.