What type of hospital should I choose?
Did you know that, when you go to hospital as a private patient, your out-of-pocket expenses for hospital charges (invoiced by the hospital) might vary by thousands of dollars depending on the type of hospital you choose and your level of cover?
That's why it is so important for you to call MBF after discussing with your doctor which hospital he/she recommends and the nature of your hospital stay. Call MBF to find out if your treatment is covered and to verify the type of hospital you will be using - an MBF Network, non-agreement or public hospital.
Any benefits you may receive are subject to the conditions of your cover including waiting periods.
A co-payment or excess may apply at all hospitals, depending on your level of cover, except if you are a public patient at a public hospital.
- What is an MBF Network hospital or day surgery?
- What is a non-agreement hospital or day surgery?
- Public hospitals
- Search for a MBF Network hospital or day surgery
- Going to hospital and need more information?
What is an MBF Network Hospital or day surgery?
MBF has contracts with hospitals regarding payment for services provided to our members. These are put in place with the intent of reducing, or in some case eliminating, your out-of-pocket expenses for hospital charges. At MBF Network hospitals and day surgeries, you are likely to have the lowest out-of-pocket expenses for hospital charges. These hospitals offer members smooth pre-admission procedures, coverage for operating theatre, intensive care, shared accommodation (single room if available), most pharmaceuticals (excluding high cost drugs), physiotherapy and other therapies where provided by the hospital and associated with your admission.
The majority of private hospitals and day surgeries throughout Australia are MBF Network hospitals.
Note that a small number of MBF Network Hospitals provide selected services which may attract a fixed daily fee - a charge payable by you. The fixed daily fee is charged per day and capped at a maximum of seven days per stay. The hospital will inform you of the out of pocket expense when you make a booking. This fee charged by the hospital is in addition to any Excess or Co-Payment you may have as part of your MBF hospital cover. The facilities and the services that attract a fixed daily fee are indicated within our Network Hospital search tool.
What is a non-agreement hospital or day surgery?
At non-agreement hospitals, you are likely to have the highest out-of-pocket expenses for hospital charges. MBF will pay a benefit towards your hospital costs. However, the hospital, in most cases, will not accept this benefit as full payment. You will be required to pay for any amount not covered by MBF. The hospital/day surgery will bill you (separate from your doctors' charges) for any service not covered by MBF. You will need to pay this bill, which may be substantial.
MBF can assist you with an estimate of your hospital expenses by determining what benefits MBF will pay, and what excesses and/or co-payments will apply. However, we strongly encourage you in all cases to ask the hospital or day surgery - prior to admission - what your charges are likely to be.
Public hospitals
When you go to a public hospital, you may choose to be treated as a public (e.g. Medicare) patient or as a private patient.
When you are treated as a public patient, you are covered by Medicare and you do not get a choice of treating doctor or a single room. As such, you will not need to pay any excesses or co-payments since you are not using your private health insurance.
When you choose to be a private patient in a public hospital you will be 100% covered for shared accommodation (or single room if available), operating theatre and intensive care costs. You may have the doctor of your choice. Excesses may be applicable.
When being admitted to a public hospital as a private patient, you will be asked to sign an "election to be a private patient" form. Please read this carefully BEFORE signing.
Search for an
MBF Network hospital or day surgery or find a list in the latest issue of MBF LivingWell magazine.
Going to hospital and need more information?
Whenever possible, call MBF before you go to hospital on 131 137.
More information on co-payment, excess and out-of-pocket expenses
Obtain your free copy of MBF's step-by-step guide to what to expect and how to prepare for hospital, 'Going to hospital'.