We just found out that we need this, as we can get billed for ambulance services if we don't, depending on the state we are in. It depends on residency in many states. And also how the state defines residency (SA residents need to have cover regardless, Qld & Tasmania have free services to all residents).
Bupa is the best we have found in terms of price/what is offered as many of the companies do not offer comprehensive (which may include non-emergency transfers) in their policies. It will cost us around $200 a year for both of us.
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The Mobile Madhouse: me (Rosie), him (Troy), a kelpie, a kelpie-dingo, a husky & a rainbow lorikeet.
We are NSW residents and recently I needed ambulances in Qld and NT where only full-time residents of each State are covered for Emergency Transport by Ambulance. Even though in possession of (Commonwealth Health Care card). Fortunately we are covered by BUPA for Ambulance cover. The ambulance bills would have just about put us into Bankruptcy.
Can you even contemplate having to pay for a QANTAS 737 (The Business Class section) to fly from Darwin (RHD) to Sydney (Westmead) complete with additionally fitted Oxygen tanks plus the cost of Specialist Nursing Staff plus the additional land Ambulances each end.
I certainly recommend having Ambulance cover - I just forwarded bills to BUPA and they handled everything no worries.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
Yep, they wanted $27k to take me to Bundaberg from Monto by air ambulance. ACT doesn't have reciprocal agreements with other states. Luckily I was being transferred from hospital to hospital and they waived the cost. But it still cost me over 1k to get to Monto by ambulance from Waruma Dam. Now have Medicare ambulance cover for about $50 per yr.
There is no need to have ambulance included in your health fund. Here in Victoria and I presume the other States/Territories as well you can join the ambulance directly. According to Ambulance Victorias website, annual family membership is $89.80. Single $44.90. You can pay quarterly through to 5 years. Membership gives you:
All emergency road ambulance transport; All MICA (Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance) attendance and treatment; All emergency air ambulance and clinically necessary non-emergency air ambulance; All ambulance treatment when transport is not required; All clinically necessary non-emergency patient transport; The same level of cover for ambulance treatment and transport services provided interstate as are covered back in Victoria.
N.B. By this I mean if you join your own State/Territory Ambulance, you will receive cover Australia wide.
-- Edited by Inland_Sailor on Wednesday 1st of March 2017 10:44:08 PM
Inland Sailor are you certain that other States have a reciprocal agreement with Victorian Ambulance? - I was under the impression it was only Victorian residents covered.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
However, note these words in that advice - Concession cardholders are eligible for free clinically necessary road and air ambulance transport anywhere in Australia in an emergency or on the recommendation of an appropriate health professional.
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Wednesday 1st of March 2017 08:33:56 PM
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
The most comprehensive information I could find regarding SA is covered mostly in the 'noboundaries' website (the first one provided).
I found it was difficult to get definitive information regarding SA's attitude/rules for non-SA residents visiting the state.
However, I also found this -
Note: Ambulance Cover is intended for permanent residents of South Australia. Non-South Australian residents may join Ambulance Cover at the discretion of SAAS, but will not receive the Pensioner cover discount which is available to pensioners who are residents of South Australia.
From what I can read between the lines on any SA information I can find, SA provides nothing for visitors from interstate - interestingly not even Commonwealth Pensioners.
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
If you get sick in SA. (Don'tknow why anybody would be there mind) Just driveback overborderb4making phonecall.
NBN "Supposedly " connected 1st March HERE.
hmm. When do I start breathing again?
Anytime soon...
An interesting comment about SA there Macka If it was tongue in cheek, fair enough. I live in SA and as a state it has a lot for the tourist to visit. Flinders ranges, Simpson Desert, Lake Eyre, Barossa and plenty more. I have visited every other state in this country and have enjoyed them all, as they all have something to offer, as does SA. Cheers Daz