Is Ambulance Cover Worth It?

Hogg on 01/05/2017 - 14:46
Last edited 01/05/2017 - 16:13

I just called up to cancel my PHI because I worked out that it wasn't worth it for me.

The guy assigned to convince me not to cancel said that I should downgrade to just ambulance cover because the cover costs $30 and a ride in the ambo would cost anywhere from $1000 to $10,000.

Is this true? Is it not worth it for younger people because we're less likely to need an ambo?

I value the financially wise minds of Ozbargainers. Please lend me your insights.

EDIT: Ambulance cover is actually $55/year.

Poll Options

  • 265
    Yes
  • 12
    No
  • 5
    I Don't Know
Financial

Comments

  • try2bhelpful on 01/05/2017 - 14:55
    +16

    My sister in law was going to get hit with a $1000 ambulance bill until she realised she was covered by some health insurance she had. You need to look at the cost of an ambulance ride Vs the risk you are going to need one. I don't tend to do much that is risky but I was rollerblading oneday and knocked myself unconcious. They sent an ambulance to me; even though the park was right opposite the hospital. Health insurance covered it, I don't even know how much it cost. I think the big one is car accidents - if you are the middle of nowhere they might send a helicopter and that would cost big bucks. If you think about it - if an ambulance ride is $1000 - at $30 you are covered for 33.33 years of risk. I would get the insurance, if only to keep the ambulance services going.

    • Baysew on 01/05/2017 - 15:04

      I think the big one is car accidents

      Would be covered by TAC

      Also work to hospital would be covered by Workers Compensation.

      (So only do rollerblading at work or on the road)

      • try2bhelpful on 01/05/2017 - 15:09

        Not roller blading to work, just out for exercise. You might be right about the TAC but you could injure yourself skiing, or rock climbing, etc. I think you get a pretty good bang for buck on ambulance insurance. I certainly wouldn't be without it again.

        • a1234my on 02/05/2017 - 09:21

          skiing, or rock climbing,

          properly need flying ambo, would cost more then $10000

    • Hogg on 01/05/2017 - 15:14
      +1

      Thanks you are very helpful!

      I really had no idea ambulance rides cost so much. I had always thought it was a public funded service until now.

      Seems worth it for sure.

      • try2bhelpful on 01/05/2017 - 15:20
        +10

        I presume that ambulance services are fairly well subsidized by the Government to cover people who can't pay. We have had to call an ambulance on a couple of occassions for people who have overdosed and I can't see the ambos hitting them with a bill; the same with homeless people who end up in a blue. Personally I think the ambos earn every penny they get - they go into situations where I would be quickly running the other way to avoid and see things that lead to PTSD.

        • Hogg on 01/05/2017 - 15:24
          +1

          I agree. They deserve every penny they get.

          I was just shocked because it is something completely new that I learned today. I had no idea I was walking around (before I bought PHI) liable to pay $1000+ ambo fees if I was in an emergency.

        • try2bhelpful on 01/05/2017 - 15:29

          @Hogg: It is always a good idea to check the current status of your insurances. We found out our car insurance had lapsed when we had an accident. Cost us a few thousand but, given how often we drove around Toorak and Malvern, it could've been a hell of a lot worse. People should always have Third Party car insurance cover in case you hit someone else.

        • djwilson303 on 03/05/2017 - 17:46
          +4

          Hey, Paramedic from NSW here. NSWA will try to send a bill to the people every time. Pension holders of any kind are covered as well as health care card holders. PS, thanks for the kind words.

          Dan the Ambo ;)

  • BensonP on 01/05/2017 - 14:55
    +12

    Yes it's worth it.

    It's like $80 a year for a family, and $40 for singles (if I recall correctly).

    My sister was airlifted about 10 years ago and the hour ride was over $10,000. She was only 17.

    • Hogg on 01/05/2017 - 15:15

      Jeebus, I hope she is okay.

      Did your family have to pay that off all in one go?

      • BensonP on 01/05/2017 - 15:40
        +5

        No we had ambulance cover, but accidentally received an invoice in the mail.

        She hit someone on a water slide, and thought she broke her back. This was 10 years ago, mind you.

        Just fracturing, fortunately!

        • Hogg on 01/05/2017 - 15:42

          Still fracturing her back must have been painful!

          I wonder if ambulance bills are like HECS or if you have to pay off straight away.

        • chartparker on 02/05/2017 - 20:59
          +1

          @Hogg:You can ask for a payment plan if you don't have ambulance cover. That's still a lot of money to part with over time though.

        • no not me on 03/05/2017 - 22:31
          +1

          @nytrojen: Certainly is. At $80 per year it's like paying for 125 years of coverage. Yet, you may still need an ambulance again. For the price it's great, especially if you injure yourself in a public place and someone calls an ambulance, you can have expenses of over $1K very easily.

    • Gershom on 03/05/2017 - 06:44

      Friend of mine had to pay $18,000 airlift ride after a skiing accident. No insurance, he had to pay it.

  • bighead on 01/05/2017 - 14:58
    +11

    I know someone who was shopping in H&M (Melbourne) and fainted from lack of oxygen in the store. (Yes, she shopped till she dropped). An ambulance was called for her by H&M staff. She is OK and no bills from the Ambos. You never know when you may need the cover.

    I also saw someone fall off their bike at a national park and had to be air lifted out. Would that be covered under Ambo cover?

    • Seraphin7 on 02/05/2017 - 09:00
      +12

      The bargains were literally breath taking?

    • jerjergege on 02/05/2017 - 10:52

      Lack of oxygen in store? I don't think that's possible…

      • bighead on 02/05/2017 - 12:57

        This happened in 2015. Apparently it got too stuffy. She wasn't the first to faint since opening hence staff knew what to do straight away.

  • ESEMCE on 01/05/2017 - 14:58
    +3

    The cost of an ambulance ride is at least in the vicinity of $1000. (source - personal experience, yes it was covered)
    $30 for Ambulance Insurance is a pretty small price to pay for that sort of cover.. It'd take 33 years of risk to "self insure" before your gamble would pay off!
    What are your chances of needing an ambulance in the next 33 years?

    A key point to check on is if that cover level includes non-emergency situations?

    • Hogg on 01/05/2017 - 15:16
      +1

      The avatar checks out!

      The math also checks out it seems.

    • teealama on 01/05/2017 - 17:56
      +1

      Couple of people have mentioned 33 yrs, does that mean the cost of cover does not go up as you get old ? there are many insurances which get dearer as you age. Would be great if someone can tell. thanks

      • MrTweek on 01/05/2017 - 20:54

        http://ambulance.vic.gov.au/membership/fees-terms/

        Same price, regardless of age.
        Family discount available though.

        • EnALup on 04/05/2017 - 14:46
          +1

          NSW?

      • moar bargains on 02/05/2017 - 12:21

        MrTweek is correct that it doesn't change as you age, but that doesn't include inflation. So it may still increase year on year, but it will increase for everyone.

      • gromit on 03/05/2017 - 13:07

        regardless, the cost of an ambulance goes up as well. generally you will be looking at the same maths now as you would in 10 years time (unless accident rates/claims for ambulance considerably changes).

  • Hogg on 01/05/2017 - 15:17
    +1

    Found this set of questions on the government website:

    • Will this policy cover me when I'm travelling interstate?
    • Does this policy cover emergency situations only, or will it cover non-emergency as well? How does the fund define an emergency?
    • Will this policy cover me for the ambulance 'call-out' fee if I need ambulance treatment but don't require transportation?
    • What is the waiting period?
    • Will I need to make any co-payments towards the ambulance fee?
    • What types of ambulance transport will this cover - for example, will it cover air ambulance? Will it cover transports provided by state-approved private providers or other private providers?

    Source

    Looks like I'll have to shop around.

    Why do the health funds agree to ambo cover is they lose money?

    • ESEMCE on 01/05/2017 - 15:27
      +2

      Probably cause they don't cover some or all of the above and they probably cut a deal with the Ambos so they don't actually pay the "retail" price.

    • CMH on 02/05/2017 - 00:16
      +1
      1. Yes, an ambo cover from Ambulance Victoria (AV) will cover you interstate.
      2. AV will cover emergency and non-emergency. Some private health cover will not cover non-emergency, and certain other cases.
      3. AV will cover any ambulance callout even if transport is not needed.
      4. Waiting period from AV is 24 hours.
      5. There is no co-payment with AV. Just your $55 a year.
      6. AV will cover all transports including air ambulance within Australia. Only question I'm not too sure is private providers, although if it is called by AV it will be covered (ie you called 000, and they deemed you non-emergency they may send private provider. Or if its declared a state emergency (think black friday), private provider may be sent).
      • kungfupanda on 02/05/2017 - 11:05
        -2

        Point 4 is incorrect.

        AV waiting period is 14 days from the day membership starts.

        The membership starts after 5pm the next day of the payment.

        • CMH on 02/05/2017 - 14:55
          +1

          Only partially.

          14 day waiting period is for non-emergency or for pre-existing conditions.

          All other emergency calls are covered.

  • dasher86 on 01/05/2017 - 15:17
    -5

    Yes Ambo cover is definitely worth it.
    If you ever need to go to the emergency department ambos always get in first…

    • try2bhelpful on 01/05/2017 - 15:34

      Getting knocked unconcious will get you in straight away too. It may also get you a trip to the MRI and there you will see things that scare the bejesus out of you. The guy before me had the full halo thing on. When I thought back on what I could've done to myself I felt sick.

    • madreece on 01/05/2017 - 15:34
      +8

      Not true mate. It doesn't matter how you come in , you still go through Triage, and if your not an emergency case you will be put into the waiting room with all the other non-emergency cases that should be seeing their doctor the next day instead of blocking up the emergency rooms.

    • Rescue 26 on 01/05/2017 - 16:18
      +2

      The ambos get called to a lot of trivial cases where the patient could have taken themselves to the ED without needing an ambulance ride, but they believe they'll get seen sooner if they arrive by ambulance. I know of ambos who will tell the ED staff to put such people on the bottom of the waiting list.

    • AlanI on 01/05/2017 - 21:31
      +12

      If you ever need to go to the emergency department ambos always get in first…

      This is absolutely false, a complete waste of both the paramedic's time, and increases the likelihood of them not being able to assist someone really in need.

      As others have said, you're not seen in order of arrival method, you're seen in order of how sick you are. If you come in via ambulance with a headache, prepare to wait 12 hours.

      And he's the extra thing that most people don't realise: Generally speaking, the paramedics MUST wait with you until you're handed over. So if you're not sick, and it takes two hours for the doctors to get to you, that can be hours the paramedics are off-road just standing around doing nothing. People really need their help and every moment they're off road puts lives at risk

      Even if for arguments sake going in via an ambo did get you in faster (it doesn't), forcing them to wait with you just so you could skip a line is selfish and dangerous.

      Source: My wife is an ex-paramedic.

    • jacross on 02/05/2017 - 15:55

      This is in no way true.

      There's a triage system. I've ridden in an ambulance after getting knocked briefly unconscious in a motorcycle accident. I was assessed just like anyone else and had to wait a very long time just like everyone else who didn't have life threatening injuries.

  • hashtagbargain on 01/05/2017 - 15:53

    ambulance cover because the cover costs $30

    $30 a month or year?!

    If that is for a month, then too expensive —> get Ambo cover from here or similar, depending on your state.

    If that is for the year, then rejoice coz it sounds like a good deal. Read the fine print and check what is and isn't included.

    Getting ambo cover is essential, IMHO.

    • Hogg on 01/05/2017 - 15:56

      The guy on the phone said $30 but perhaps I'm mistaken because my emailed quote is $55/year.

      Shopping around right now but HCF seems like the front runner for price vs. inclusions (or more like not exclusions if that makes sense).

      • kusama on 01/05/2017 - 18:46

        Go direct (at least in VIC), it sounds like you are getting ambo cover by the health fund - If in some weird case they don't consider it emergency or another condition you will have to pay via health fund way.

    • Hogg on 01/05/2017 - 16:04
      +4

      Tried searching the NSW but couldn't find an equivalent. Rather pay to the Ambo than the health funds if I could.

      • kusama on 01/05/2017 - 18:49

        hmm looks that way.. shop around then :)

  • PVA on 01/05/2017 - 15:55

    get ambo cover.
    do you think because you are younger you wont need it because of car accidents, some bugger in a bar smacks you in the head etc etc? I'm betting more younger people use ambulances becuase of more accidents.

    contact the ambo service directly and see how much it is, at least they get the money, they get zero if you pay with your health insurance.

    • Hogg on 01/05/2017 - 15:58
      +1

      Good point.

      Is that possible? I didn't know I could get ambulance cover straight from the ambulance. I would rather give my money to the ambo service than the private health funds. The health funds are a rip off.

      • PVA on 01/05/2017 - 16:00
        +3

        i dont need to buy it because I'm in Qld and we are all covered up here via rate, car rego or something like that.
        .
        but years ago we had to get it from the Ambulance service directly, I never knew you could just get it from insurance without any other cover.

        • Hogg on 01/05/2017 - 16:03

          Apparently QLD and TAS are all covered by the government. That's how I think it should be but I just have to deal with it I guess.

          I can't find getting cover on the NSW ambo site.

          The comment above has a link to the VIC one.

        • altomic on 01/05/2017 - 17:12

          @Hogg: qld - ambo coverage is covered by the govt through utilities.

        • Hogg on 01/05/2017 - 17:33

          @altomic:

          How much does it cost as part of utilities?

          Does it work out to be net neutral?

        • sam-1966 on 02/05/2017 - 08:24
          -1

          @Hogg: Last time I checked we pay $22 per quarter through electricity bills. Govt reasoning is that everyone uses electricity, so we pay that way.

        • Aussie Smurfette on 02/05/2017 - 09:05
          +4

          @sam-1966: Ambulance cover for Queenslanders has not been part of Electricity Bills since 2011, it has been government subsidised since then.
          Queensland's are covered Australia wide for ambulance cover from this.
          A friend many years back was knocked off his motorcycle and the ambulance bill was over $1000, he was young. The younger you are the more essential it is in mind, you are more at risk.
          Contact the ambulance service directly, you should be able to join through them.

        • stingyashell on 02/05/2017 - 17:13

          @sam-1966: last time you checked was 2011? if you use ambo in other state qld govt will cover for you too as long as you lodge it online with proof of QLD residential.

  • Rescue 26 on 01/05/2017 - 16:11
    -1

    You get charged the same for a ride in the rescue helicopter as would for an ambulance ride to the nearest suitable hospital. If you have ambulance cover with your health insurance the helicopter ride will be free. If no cover then you pay the standard ambulance rate.

    • Hogg on 01/05/2017 - 16:32

      Thanks for the info. Are you a rescue helicopter paramedic?

      I really wish I could just pay directly to the Ambo services but I talked to Ambo NSW and they don't have direct membership like VIC.

  • Gronk on 01/05/2017 - 16:31
    +4

    I think it's worth the $$$ but then again I ride a motorcycle ;)

    • try2bhelpful on 02/05/2017 - 09:29
      +7

      Not to be facetious but make sure you have your donor card up to date as well. Lost a brother to a motor bike accident and the only good thing to come out of it was he had a donor card. He lives on in other people.

  • noskich on 01/05/2017 - 16:57

    So what do we pay Medicare for? All that tax money and not even an ambulance is free. What a joke. Nowadays every single thing needs to be paid out of pocket, health insurance, income insurance… while this used to be all funded from the public funds. Outrageous what people got used to. My income is taxed 30% plus Medicare for what, I don't see a single dollar of benefit. Have no kids, don't drive, pay 60 dollars per week for terrible public transport, never got any kind of assistance from the government…

    • vr4indian on 01/05/2017 - 17:05

      Medicare around 1.5% from your income

      Specialist pay around 20% from your pocket

      Nothing is free.

      • noskich on 01/05/2017 - 17:10

        Of course it is not 'free', but I pay 1.5% plus extra supplementary Medicare tax and get what exactly for it? Only free examination at bulk billed GPs, absolutely nothing else. Once I was supposed to see a specialist, GP gave me a letter and said search for hospitals on your own and try to find a specialist. After the search I was waiting for month an a half to get an appointment date with the hospital. Then I got an appointment in 6 months. When I arrived there was a medical officer waiting for me, fresh med grad who could do nothing for me and gave me a card of his professor's private clinic to go for +300 dollars per consultation.
        Second time I needed a test done and found one supposedly bulk billed. And the receptionist confirmed it was. Then after that I got the bill. I complained to Fair trading and they could not do anything about it, I had to pay. So they get a blank cheque and can charge whatever they want even though they told me it was bulk billed. Healthcare here is a disgrace.

        • Melburnian on 01/05/2017 - 18:04
          +9

          If you think "healthcare here is a disgrace", try a country without single payer health care, like the USA.

          If you don't want to put up with public hospital waiting lists for appointments (or surgeries), and you don't want to go to a teaching hospital staffed by doctors-in-training, then be prepared to pay big bucks for private specialists/hospitals.

          It's all trade-offs and you seem lucky enough to have a choice. You don't get to complain both that free/bulk-billed services are scarce AND that private services are expensive.

          You pay with either your time or your money. Nothing is free.

        • MrTweek on 01/05/2017 - 21:04

          What the hell do you think 1.5% can pay for?
          Doctors are usually not on minimum wage.

          I'm from a country where the Medicare equivalent pays for almost everything, including ambulances, specialists, dentists and medication. And there are barely any waiting lists for anything.

          That's pretty convenient, but the downside is that the health insurance levy is around 13%.
          You get what you (are made to) pay for.

          I still liked that system more than the Australian one, especially when I was a broke student.

        • greatlamp on 02/05/2017 - 00:06
          +3

          It sounds like the appointment was bulk billed but the pathology wasn't.

          I agree, there is too many holes in medicare. The elderly avoid treatments because some medicines aren't covered.

          Doctor's are unhappy because their reimbursement is behind inflation for many years. Specialists charge large copayments to make up for it.

        • vr4indian on 02/05/2017 - 09:29
          +1

          @Melburnian: and that's the reason people opt for private health insurance.

          Medicare surcharge + Medicare levy + long waiting leaves only two options

          1: go overseas and get it done in budget

          2: get PHI

        • eurodave on 02/05/2017 - 21:17
          +1

          You also get: pathology services (blood tests) (not sure how your particular anecdote there occurred), x-rays at a public hospital, some other radiology services, treatment at emergency if you ever have an accident (including emergency surgery).
          When you are older you might get (if you need it) treatment for failing organs (heart, lungs, liver, kidneys) up to an including a full replacement!
          If you (or your partner) is having a baby you get maternity services (and outcomes tend to be better in the public system than in the private system for childbirth).
          It's a flawed system, and its easy to get lost in it, but you get a LOT more than just GP visits.

    • dylanando on 01/05/2017 - 17:08
      +4

      Thankfully in Qld and Tas ambulance is free :P

      • PrimalNuke on 01/05/2017 - 19:56
        +4

        Definitely not free in QLD. Check your power bill, there's a levy built in to every one.

        Still a way better way to do it though IMO. Hardly anyone notices it.

        • Aussie Smurfette on 02/05/2017 - 09:08
          +3

          Has not been on power bills since 2011, so checking the power bill is pointless lol

    • BensonP on 01/05/2017 - 18:23
      +26

      Do you really want a health system like America where you pay for everything?

      4 years ago, when I was 21, I was diagnosed with cancer. I underwent a year of chemotherapy, 2 major surgeries, 6 weeks of radiotherapy, countless blood tests, a ridiculous amount of diagnostic imaging and dozens of specialist appointments.

      Do you know what I paid? Nothing. Not a dime.
      If we're didn't have public health, my family would have had to sell our family home. In America chemotherapy stints can cost over $100,000 alone, excluding the surgeries, radiotherapy and follow up. After each of my chemotherapy sessions, I received an injection of Neulasta. 10 over the span of 12 months. These are $7,000 each.

      People always complain about public health when they don't use, but I guarantee you'll change your tune if, God forbid, you ever need to use it.

      • theStinge on 02/05/2017 - 16:26
        +2

        Thanks for sharing; it's really sobering to hear your perspective.
        Hope you're fully recovered and enjoying an excellent quality of life.

        • Hogg on 02/05/2017 - 16:42
          +1

          Yes while our health and political system is not perfect, stories such as yours remind me how lucky we really are.

      • chartparker on 02/05/2017 - 21:07
        +1

        This. What I tend to find is that it's mainly the people who have never traveled outside of the country that complain the most about our health system. Are you kidding me? People all over the globe are fighting to come here because we have such (relatively) good health care!

        Not to mention all the other things that some people seem to complain about here, but that's a rant for another day.

      • RocketSwitch on 03/05/2017 - 09:48

        Thanks for sharing, you're exactly spot on!!

    • outlander on 01/05/2017 - 18:51
      +2

      The rich decided they didn't want to chip in for these things, forcing everyone to pick up the slack I guess

      • BensonP on 01/05/2017 - 19:16
        +2

        Not entirely true…

        Higher income earners, without private health insurance, get slugged with a Medicare Levy Surcharge once they earn over $90,000 for singles, or $180,000 for families.

        The levys are 1%, 1.25% and topping out at 1.5%.

        Surcharge increments

        • outlander on 01/05/2017 - 19:19
          -1

          Yeah, when I say rich, I'm not really talking about anyone earning less than a million a year
          1.5% is nothing

        • gromit on 03/05/2017 - 13:10

          @outlander: if you are on a million a year and paying 1.5%, that is $15k a year they are kicking in for zero benefit to themselves, how the hell is that not chipping in?

        • outlander on 03/05/2017 - 14:28
          -1

          @gromit:

          I can see you're question relies on several presumptions that I would have to address first before answering your question, and I don't know how to do that without you getting bored and dismissing my thoughts as socialistic, communistic or just plain crazy

          But basically a)15k is not a lot of money
          b)it does benefit themselves, but not directly

    • MrTweek on 01/05/2017 - 20:59

      I don't see a single dollar of benefit

      So you've never been to a doctor in your life?
      Good for you, hope it stays like this.

      And in case you ever need to go to hospital, I'm happy if this is paid from my Medicare Levy.

    • try2bhelpful on 02/05/2017 - 10:52
      +4

      yes - Angry of Mayfair or Mr Cul de Sac - dependent on if you follow Kenny Everett or Mark Steel.

      Our hospital system is not perfect but it is much better than elsewhere. I had a melanoma removed off my arm 16 years ago and it only cost me the differential for the specialist vists - which wasn't excessive. Look at the American equivalent and I would've been out big bucks - either in health fees or hospital costs, or both.

      If you really don't think you are getting any benefits for your taxes you need to broaden your horizons. So you never went to school, have never seen a doctor, never travelled on roads, never been to hospital. Then there are the more nebulous things like the justice system, defence, EPA, ABC, SBS, etc. Ranting is fun, thinking is harder.

  • jubified on 01/05/2017 - 17:24
    +2

    Nsw here. 21 male. Needed to call an ambulance because i was in so much pain. They assessed me and my fever died down so I didn't need a ride.

    Cost a couple of hundred for them to come out and lucky i had insurance to cover it all.

    Tl;dr yeah get ambulance cover.

    • Hogg on 01/05/2017 - 17:32

      Thanks man.

      And Thanks to all the wise heads of Ozbargain.

      I am definitely getting ambulance cover now.

      It's all about getting the right price and inclusions now.

  • Melburnian on 01/05/2017 - 18:06
    +2

    I would buy ambulance cover direct from the ambulance service, rather than through private health insurance, to ensure you are covered for all the reasonable things and that your fee goes directly towards funding the service rather than towards the insurer's profits.

    • Hogg on 01/05/2017 - 18:18
      +1

      I wholeheartedly agree.

      Unfortunately when I contacted NSW Ambulance, they informed me they have no such arrangement like VIC Ambulance.

      They suggested getting cover from PHI.

      • Melburnian on 01/05/2017 - 18:20
        +1

        I did not know that about NSW.

        All the best!

  • Clarafina on 01/05/2017 - 18:35
    +1

    I had an ambulance trip when I was 19 or 20 and it cost $4500 to go from Torquay to Geloong Hospital after I had my drink spiked. Thankfully I had ambulance cover but I still got a fright when they sent the initial invoice. I strongly support getting cover through the ambos themselves rather than through private health funds, plus the health funds only cover you for medically necessary transport (ambos also cover you for trips from hospital A to hospital B etc)

    • try2bhelpful on 02/05/2017 - 10:57

      At least it was an ambulance ride, rather than something far worse. I presume they didn't get the b..tard that spiked your drink. Frightening and thanks for sharing. People need to be careful when they go out and this is a reminder.

    • Hogg on 02/05/2017 - 16:25

      Thankfully you got out of that okay. It would be horrible if you got slugged with a bill due to someone else's evil actions.

      I agree that I would rather pay directly to the Ambulance service but for some reason Ambulance NSW doesn't offer an avenue to do so. :(

  • Taita on 01/05/2017 - 18:46
    +1

    NSW family here. Have ambulance cover with Westfund.
    I was hit by a reversing car in the driveway when I was full term pregnant and was taken to hospital. Ambulance bill was about $450. Another time during the night hubby who's insulin dependant had a hypo attack and was not responding. Ambulance came, treated him at home, but hospital trip was not required. Bill came about $200 or 300 (can't remember).
    Both times bill was forwarded to Westfund and was covered.

    Btw, a kid in our local school had to be airlifted to hospital. Bill was sent to the parents.

    I think it's worth it.

    • Hogg on 02/05/2017 - 16:27

      Thanks for taking time out to post your personal story.

      I'm assuming everything turned out fine with your pregnancy?

      • Taita on 02/05/2017 - 17:50
        +1

        Yes we were both fine. Thanks for asking :)

  • jjjaar on 01/05/2017 - 19:57
    +1

    I have health insurance AND also ambulance. Sometimes health cover only covers emergencies IE not all transfers between hospitals.

    Given you don't want health cover, I would go direct with the ambulance agency in your state (eg ambulance Victoria in Victoria).

    Edit: only just read nsw doesn't have a similar option. In which case, research insurers and get the most comprehensive option.

    • AlanI on 01/05/2017 - 21:33

      Also note, at least in Victoria, Private Health often doesn't cover air ambulance (i.e. arguably what you really need given that can cost $10k easy). You need regular Ambulance membership for that to be covered. It pays to have them both.

      • jjjaar on 02/05/2017 - 07:08

        Exactly, and for the $40 a year, ambulance cover is a no brainer.

  • frewer on 01/05/2017 - 20:05
    +4

    I save every cents wherever I can, but for ambo cover is a must. See it as you pay little now to use it later, or help out some one who needed it. Im in Vic, so I paid the ambo Victoria thingy. A good night out would cost more than $55 wouldn't it ?

    • Hogg on 02/05/2017 - 16:29

      Exactly what I wanted to hear. If money savvy ozbargainers say it's worth it then it probably is.

  • Jikx on 01/05/2017 - 20:11

    Yes get ambulance cover, and no don't get it through your health on insurance.
    Depending on the policy they might have a lot of limitations e.g only once a year, only covers "emergency" (i.e if it was just a panic attack, then you have to pay for it!), no inter-hospital cover, pay upfront then claim later….

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