What Can Patients Do?

Suggestions for patients who are to receive treatment in a private hospital include:

·          Ask the Intensive Care specialist if you see them prior to a planned admission as to whether you are likely to be charged a gap. This is often difficult as patients do not generally see the Intensivist prior to admission.

·          Ask the doctor (eg surgeon) responsible for your admission to hospital what out-of-pocket expenses you may expect, INCLUDING possible gaps for any care in an Intensive Care Unit by an Intensive Care specialist.

·          Ask the private hospital to which you are to be admitted whether they are aware of any potential gap payments for care received in their intensive care unit. Also read the Admission Information booklet that is often provided as this may also include information on fees. 

·          Ask your Health Fund whether you are likely to incur a gap payment for care provided by an Intensive Care specialist at the hospital to which you are to be admitted. This is not the same as the cost of a bed in Intensive Care, which is usually covered by the health fund.

If you are unhappy with having to pay a gap for intensive care services, we suggest you discuss this with your health insurance fund.