Are you covered?

[Aidan KeoughMember]

Hi all

Since my recent good experience of NSW Ambulance Service I have done some research on how the costs work… was sweating there for a while that I might have a big bill on the way. That was after worrying about ‘would I get my bike back???’

Hope this is not needed by anyone but thought I would share what I found out.

Here are the key points
1) no private health cover = no ambulance cover, ie you will be sent a bill and have to pay it {except for 4) below}
2) emergency cover varies greatly between funds/plans ie some exclude air transport, some don’t
3) states and territories have different arrangements
4) if it is a Motor Vehicle Accident NSW Ambo Svs bulk bill the CTP insurers so patient does not get sent a bill

Below is how things work in NSW, repeat NSW only, because all the states and territories are different.

Charges are based on a callout fee and a per km charge (since Jul 08).
– callout fee is $290
– per km charge of $2.62
– charges are the same for all types of ambulance used, ie road, 4wd, helicopter, fixed wing, motorbike (yes they have 3 BMW ambulance motorcycles with heated grips)
– the distance is calculated from BASE to SCENE to HOSPITAL and back to BASE

There is cap of maximum charge of $4,752.

So for ALL attendances by NSW Ambulance Service a bill is calculated as above.

Now for who gets sent the bills…
If the accident is related to a registered motor vehicle:
– NSW ambulance services have a bulk billing agreement with the CTP insurers and send the bill directly to them. This covers:
+ all registered motor vehicles including bikes,
+ any accident location (public road, state forest road, fire trail, private property)
+ any accident type (single vehicle, multiple)

If the accident does not involve a motor vehicle:
– if only road ambulance used, the bill is sent to the patient, who if they have private health (all funds basic hospital includes ambulance) can get it paid by their health fund
– if air ambulance is used (either fixed wing or heli) the patient is sent the bill and DEPENDING ON YOUR FUND/COVER you may or may not be covered for air (ie of the three funds I checked MBF = no, HCF = yes, NIB = couldn’t tell)

[Mick DMember]

Awesome information that might just send the message out to those fellas that risk it on unregoed bikes.

Glad I have HCF cover.

[Peter WMember]

I’ve got HCF too.I am pretty sure you can just get ambulance cover alone and it’s not that expensive.Definitely not as expensive as a ride in the big bird.

[TrentMember]

I’m with HCF and ride a rego’d bike but to be honest I’m quite ignorant about what HCF provide me. Thanks for the info Aidan and even though its excellent info I’d suggest everyone checks what they’re covered for. Of course I need to follow my own advice which is the hard part :p

[Aidan KeoughMember]

Austblue wrote:

Quote:

I’m with HCF and ride a rego’d bike but to be honest I’m quite ignorant about what HCF provide me. Thanks for the info Aidan and even though its excellent info I’d suggest everyone checks what they’re covered for. Of course I need to follow my own advice which is the hard part :p

Spot on austblue, sort of goes without saying but wanted to make sure folks did their own research and made sure they are covered. Especially if going interestate.

cheers
Hoppy

[glennMember]

I do not ever want to use the evacuation/rescue helicopter or a road ambulance but If I have to Mr NIB has my back..
If I read this post correct,Does it mean if you are on a unregistered bike, you pay all the flight costs??????

[Aidan KeoughMember]

Boony that’s what the people at nsw Amb Svs told me, unless you have the right health cover

Again the msg is folks do your homework and sure you’re covered.

[GregMember]

Nice work Aidan, karma for you message to us all

TB

[TrentMember]

So if you have NSW rego and crash in victoria say, surely you are covered by CTP right?

[Aidan KeoughMember]

Austblue it does get more complicated when interstate areas involved, haven’t looked into that scenario. given i started this thing i’ll have a looksee.

hoppy

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