Commonly Asked Questions
Are accidents treated in a public or private hospital?
If you ever have an accident that requires urgent medical treatment, you’ll automatically be admitted to a public hospital Emergency Department for immediate treatment. On some occasions though (if the injury isn’t life threatening, for example), you may be asked if you’d like to be admitted and treated as a public or private patient. In those instances, it’s important to know your rights so here’s a quick rundown of the choices available to you:
| | Public hospital | HIF-contracted (Private hospital) |
|---|
| | Public patient | Private patient | Private patient |
| How quickly will I be treated? | Elective
You'll go on a waiting list and you could be waiting for weeks (even months or years in some cases). Emergency
You'll receive immediate treatment for urgent or life threatening conditions. | Elective
As soon as a spot becomes available (provided you've served your waiting periods). Emergency
You'll receive immediate treatment for urgent or life threatening conditions. | Elective
Straight away (provided you've served your waiting periods). Emergency
You'll receive immediate treatment for urgent or life threatening conditions. |
| Do I get to choose my own doctor? | No, you'll be treated by whichever doctor is appointed by the hospital. | Yes, providing your chosen doctor is eligible to work in that public hospital and it's not an emergency. | Yes, unless it's an emergency and your chosen doctor isn't available. |
| Do I get to choose which hospital I go to? | No, you’ll be treated by whichever hospital is available with the required facilities | Yes, providing your chosen hospital can accommodate you and the required facilities are available. | Yes, providing your chosen hospital can accommodate you and the required facilities are available. |
| Can I get a private room?* | Possibly, but only if available and generally only if it's medically necessary. | Yes, if one is available. (Out of pocket expenses may apply). Other patients may have priority depending on their medical needs. | Yes, if one is available. (Out-of-pocket expenses may apply if you don't have the right level of HIF Hospital cover). |
| Do I have to pay for my hospital accommodation? | No, but you may have to pay for personal expenses such as TV hire, telephone calls or meals for an overnight boarder (e.g. your partner or parent). | You may need to cover your hospital excess (if applicable) and your personal expenses such as TV hire (this might be negotiable with the hospital). | No, some expenses you may need to cover are your hospital excess (if applicable) and an accommodation co-payment if you're in a private room and you are not covered for that. |
How does admission differ for public and private patients in a public hospital?
Upon arriving at a public hospital, the staff will explain the admission process to you and ask if you’d like to be admitted as a public or private patient.
If you choose to be treated as a public patient, you will be asked to complete an admission form and provide your Medicare details. All expenses will be covered by Medicare so the admission shouldn't cost you anything.
Alternatively, you can choose to be treated as a private patient, in which case you’ll need to sign an election form that details all the associated costs.
If you do choose to be admitted as a private patient in a public hospital, it’s important to note that some out-of-pocket expenses may apply - expenses that would otherwise have been fully covered under Medicare, such as hospital excess payments (if applicable on your policy), plus any gaps that your doctor may charge for your treatment. So in some circumstances, it may be more financially advantageous to be admitted as a public patient. Just keep in mind though you’ll lose your ability to choose your doctor and request a private room.
Essentially, your decision should be based on what’s in your best interests. Your private hospital insurance will give you more choices in terms of doctors and accommodation, but if you’re happy using the public system then you shouldn’t feel pressured to provide your Hospital Cover details.
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*Effective 1 January 2025, for hospital admissions in New South Wales (NSW) public hospitals, private and shared room accommodation is available (private room subject to availability).