Bupa Ambulance Cover
Helps you prepare for unexpected emergencies
Bupa will cover the cost of your emergency road transport with recognised ambulance providers.† Taking out Emergency Only Ambulance or Premium Ambulance with us means you can focus on what matters most in an emergency.
Where you live matters
Select a state to read more about how ambulance services work for you.
You should consider the state you live in, and whether you need cover interstate. When it comes to ambulance services, each state is different.
| State you normally live in | Options at home | Options while interstate |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | Private cover | |
| New South Wales | ||
| Metro Western Australia & Norfolk Island | ||
| Country Western Australia | Private cover OR state ambulance subscription | |
| Northern Territory | ||
| Victoria | ||
| South Australia | ||
| Tasmania | The state government covers you at home | The state government covers you, except for in SA or QLD |
| Queensland | The state government covers you everywhere in Australia | |
It’s worth noting
Some states offer free or subsidised ambulance services to pension and concession card holders. Check your state government website for more details.
Some states have agreements with other states to cover their residents, and vice versa. What’s covered under these agreements varies, so if you travel interstate frequently it might be worth considering private cover or a subscription.
Peace of mind Australia-wide
By taking out ambulance cover, you’ll have peace of mind that at least your transport is covered – whether at home or interstate. We’ll cover you Australia-wide for:
- Emergency road transport with Bupa recognised providers from an accident or medical event to a hospital.†
- Treatment at the scene.
- Non-emergency ambulance trips with Premium Ambulance.##
We don’t pay benefits if:
- You receive ambulance transport from a non-recognised provider.
- Your state government covers your ambulance fees.
- You hold a subscription with your state ambulance service.
- You’ll receive compensation, damages or benefits from somewhere else.
Waiting periods apply:
| Waiting period | Treatment/service |
|---|---|
| 1 day | Emergency ambulance and on-the-spot treatment (Emergency Only Ambulance and Premium Ambulance) |
| 1 Month | Non-emergency ambulance services (only available on Premium Ambulance) |
What’s the difference between emergency and non-emergency ambulance?
Emergency ambulance is an unplanned event where you’ve been injured or you have a medical emergency where your life may be at risk or where you need medical treatment right away. The ambulance provider will confirm whether the transport or medical treatment was an emergency.
Non-emergency ambulance is when you need an ambulance but don’t need treatment straight away or when your life is not at risk. For example:
- Transport from a hospital to your home or nursing home.
- Transport to a hospital, your home or nursing home for ongoing treatment, like dialysis or chemotherapy.
- Where you’re admitted to one hospital and need to be taken to another.
Emergency Only
Ambulance
From $42.34/year*
- Uncapped emergency ambulance or on-the-spot treatment by our recognised providers Australia-wide†
- Includes some air services and on-the-spot treatment††
- Get more from your policy with Life Rewards
Premium
Ambulance
From $56.00/year*
- Uncapped emergency ambulance or on-the-spot treatment by our recognised providers Australia-wide†
- Cover for non-emergency ambulance trips from our recognised providers, capped at $5,000 per person per year##
- Includes some air services and on-the-spot treatment††
- Get more from your policy with Life Rewards
Corporate
Ambulance
- Emergency Only or Premium Ambulance available
- Uncapped emergency ambulance or on-the-spot treatment by our recognised providers Australia-wide†
- Includes some air services and on-the-spot treatment††
- Get more from your policy with Life Rewards
- Plus an ongoing corporate discount**
*Price is for a single in NSW under the age of 65. Base tier Australian Government Rebate included.
No. Medicare doesn’t cover ambulance costs. Each state and territory manages its own ambulance service. This means what you're covered for depends on where you live.
Select the state or territory you normally live in to find out more how ambulance services work for you.
Emergency ambulance cover is included in most eligible extras or hospital health insurance with Bupa, or you can buy it on its own. If you already have extras or hospital cover with Bupa, check to see if your policy includes ambulance services.
Otherwise, whether you need private ambulance cover depends on the state you normally live in.
Ambulance arrangements differ from state to state. Select the state or territory you normally live in to find out more about how ambulance services work for you:
- New South Wales & ACT
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
You may find that your state or territory covers you for ambulance fees, but it’s important to always check what you’re covered for. Questions to ask:
- Does it cover you for road and air transport?
- Which providers will they cover?
- Are you covered for both emergency and non-emergency transport?
- Will you be covered if you travel interstate?
Some states offer free or subsidised ambulance services to concession card holders.
Check your state government website for more details or select the state you normally live in for an overview of whether ambulance is covered by a concession card.
Bupa recognises the following ambulance providers:
Yes, there are waiting periods.
There's a one-day waiting period for emergency ambulance and on-the-spot treatment.
Non-emergency ambulance services are available on Premium Ambulance cover. There's a one-month waiting period for non-emergency ambulance services.
† If claimable from another source, a benefit won’t be paid by Bupa. Benefits for ambulance transportation is only payable where the provider describes the transportation as an ‘Emergency’. For more, see the Important Information Guide. There is a 1 day waiting period for emergency ambulance and on-the-spot treatment.
## If claimable from another source, a benefit won’t be paid by Bupa. For more, see the Important Information Guide. There is a 1-day waiting period for emergency ambulance and on-the-spot treatment and a 1-month waiting period for non-emergency transportation.
†† Some air services and treatments at Bupa recognised providers only. Royal Flying Doctor Services not included. Check with us what you’re covered for and where.