A medical emergency could happen to you or your family at any time. Being prepared can help you to know what to do, if you or someone around you, needs urgent medical assistance.
No-one wants to deal with a medical emergency, but the reality is that sometimes they’re unavoidable. With a few key tips, you can be prepared and make the best possible choices for you or your family, even in the trickiest of circumstances.
How to prepare for an emergency
1. Create a list of important details, and keep it somewhere handy. It’s a good idea to have the address and phone number of your closest hospital written down somewhere handy, perhaps on the fridge, as well as other helpful emergency contact numbers, such as the Poisons Information Hotline. You should also have your partner and close family members’ contact details written down, in case your phone isn’t accessible in a medical emergency, as the hospital may need to contact them.
2. Downloading the Emergency+ app means you’ll be able to reach emergency services and provide them with your location digitally, even when mobile reception is bad or you’re not sure exactly where you are.
3. If you have kids, make sure you teach them how to call Triple Zero (000) and what to say to the operator. The Triple Zero Kids’ Challenge is an online game that can help young Aussies learn how to respond to an emergency in a fun, age-appropriate way.
Find out more on what to do when you feel sick, including how to identify if it’s an emergency.
Sometimes, in an emergency, an ambulance may be needed. If you do need an ambulance, it’s important to know what your options are in paying for ambulance services.
How much does an Ambulance cost?
Costs for an Ambulance are calculated based on a call-out fee plus a per-kilometre charge from the ambulance base to the call-out location, hospital or other facility, and then for it to return to the ambulance base.
Ambulances can be expensive. For example, in New South Wales, the cost could be anywhere from $293 to $6095.
How do I pay for ambulance costs?
Medicare doesn’t cover ambulance costs. When it comes to ambulance services, each state runs their own services.
Your options are listed in the table below:
| State you normally live in | Options to fund Ambulance services |
|---|---|
| ACT NSW Metro-WA |
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| Country-WA VIC NT SA |
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| TAS |
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| QLD |
|
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 changes, so if you travel interstate frequently, it could be worth considering private cover or a subscription.
- Some covers, subscriptions and agreements between states only offer cover for Ambulances by road, and not air. It’s worth checking the detail of what they’ll cover, before making your decision.
Arriving at hospital
If you are taken by ambulance to a hospital emergency department (sometimes known as the ED, Emergency Room, or ER) , most emergency departments are in public hospitals in Australia, you’ll be assessed by a triage nurse to determine the priority of your treatment. This helps make sure that the most sick or injured patients are seen first.
Make sure you tell the nurse important details such as any allergies, current medication and treatments, past health problems and any recent overseas trips. Also, let them know if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
If the emergency department is busy and there are lots serious cases ahead of you, you may be asked to wait in the waiting room. Make sure you let the triage nurse know if your condition changes.
When it’s your turn, you’ll be taken to a treatment area to be assessed and treated. If staff are able to treat you in the emergency department, you’ll be able to go home afterwards. If the problem is more serious or needs ongoing care, you’ll be admitted to hospital.
Should I use my private health insurance in a public hospital?
If you’re admitted to a public hospital, one of the questions you’ll likely be asked is whether you have private health insurance. It’s entirely up to you whether you choose to use your private health insurance cover or not in a public hospital. This is a choice protected under the National Health Reform Agreement.
If you choose to use your private health insurance:
- You have the right to be treated by your choice of doctor
- You may get your own room if one is available. It’s important to remember though, that public hospitals give these out based on clinical need, and in a public hospital, there may be less private rooms available.
However, there are some things you may need to be aware of if you use your private cover in a public hospital.
For example:
- In an emergency, you’re unlikely to get to choose your own doctor.
- If you have an excess, you may need to pay it. Some hospitals will offer to pay it for you.
- Your doctor might charge you a higher fee (above the MBS) which may not be covered by Medicare or your health insurer.
- It contributes to increases in the cost of private health insurance premiums. Insurers pay around $1 billion to public hospitals a year. People with private cover are then paying twice: firstly, in their taxes, and then with their premiums. However, if you’re getting the benefits of private cover when you are treated in a public hospital, then it may be worth it to you.
In order to make an informed decision, make sure you ask the hospital these key questions:
- What are the benefits if I use my private health insurance?
- Will there be any difference to my care if I use my private cover?
- Can I choose my doctor?
- Can I get a private room?
- What costs will I incur if I do choose to use my private health insurance either in hospital or after I leave?
Additional resources
Check out some of Bupa’s additional resources to help prepare you for an emergency, including: