Emergency treatment in Australia

[Lisa1960]

Hi.
My wife is in Australia where she had to be admitted to hospital for emergency surgery. Fortunately, Medicare covers her hospital expenses but not her Ambulance to the hospital. I understand this may cost over £1000.
I don't have access to her travel insurance details. Does anyone know if insurance usually covers transport to thr hospital in such circumstances?

Mine does, it depends on the specific policy and whether there’s an excess or not.

Do you know who she is with? I would notify the insurance company ASAP even if you can’t give them all the details straight away.

It generally does if for a required need, which seems to be the case as you describe it.

Yes my travel insurance covered this. Be aware it took months for the bill for the ambulance to arrive so best to warn your insurance or get the ambulance company details if you can.

Thank you all for your advice. It has taken a lot of worry off our minds.

I’d be very surprised if it didn’t.

I did think that Medicare only covered residents though?

There is reciprocal emergency care deal with the U.K. I was admitted for a serious emergency while visiting and had an operation and the only thing I was charged for was the ambulance to the hospital.

Virtually certain to cover it. Oh and my friends have been treated in Aus for free before as well and excellent care

I did think that Medicare only covered residents though?

Nope, there is a reciprocal agreement with many other countries. UK is covered by the reciprocal agreement. Ambulance is different though as it is not covered by Medicare and there is no standard. In some States/Territories ambulance is covered by the State/Territory for residents. In the other States/Territories you either take out ambulance cover under a private health insurance company, or you pay the bill when it arrives, although there are exemptions where the bill is waived such as rape, domestic abuse, and some others, not sure about Seniors would need to check that. So a non-resident would need travel insurance for the ambulance bill irrespective of where in Australia they had the ambulance service.