If you or a loved one are injured or seriously ill and you need emergency ambulance services, it’s reassuring to know you can call an ambulance and help will be on its way to provide rapid medical care. In an emergency, paramedics can save lives.
What many people don’t know is that Medicare doesn't cover you for ambulance costs. And without the right private health cover, you may face a hefty bill.
The way ambulances are billed varies across Australian states and territories (we’ve given you a quick guide to this below). In some states, the government covers the cost of emergency ambulances, while in others you’ll need private cover to avoid thousands of dollars out-of-pocket. It depends where you live.
Ambulance cover is included with each of RT Health’s Hospital covers, except for Queenslanders who are covered under a state-based scheme.
How ambulance cover works
An emergency ambulance is when you need immediate transport to get to hospital for urgent medical treatment.
You’re also covered when an ambulance is required and a paramedic treats you, but you aren’t transported to hospital.
Your ambulance cover is based on the state or territory you live in. So, if you change residence between states or territories or if any of the people listed on your membership live in a different state or territory, you’ll need to contact our Member Care team to check your level of cover.
State by state ambulance cover overview
Here’s what you need to know about ambulance cover in each Aussie state and territory.
NSW & THE ACT
If you live in NSW or the ACT, you’ll need private health insurance that includes ambulance cover unless you have an exemption.
Your RT Health cover provides unlimited cover for emergency transport and medically necessary non-emergency transportation, no matter where you are in Australia.
However, if you’re an eligible concession card holder, you may be entitled to an exemption from paying the ambulance levy (otherwise included in the premium for any Hospital Cover) and to some ambulance services free of charge. For more information on eligibility and scope of free ambulance services, please click here.
RT Health members on Levy Exempt covers, must provide details of their current eligible Concession Card and are not covered for ambulance by RT Health but are entitled to some free ambulance services as noted above.
QUEENSLAND
If you’re a Queenslander, ambulance services are covered throughout Australia under the state government ambulance scheme. Find out more from the QLD state government ambulance provider.
TASMANIA
Tasmanians are covered by their state government in all states except Queensland and South Australia. You’ll find more info on the TAS government website.
RT Health cover ($5,000 per person, per year) applies where the state government scheme does not (no cover for attendance or non-emergency transportation).
VICTORIA, SOUTH AUSTRALIAN, WESTERN AUSTRALIA & NORTHERN TERRITORY
If you live in Victoria, South Australia, the Northern Territory or Western Australia, you’ll need either private health insurance that includes ambulance cover or a subscription with the state/territory ambulance service.
With RT Health cover, you’ll be able to claim up to $5,000 per person, per year, for emergency attendance or transportation, or transportation in the case of accident or illness. This cover applies no matter where you are in Australia.
When should you call an ambulance?
Healthdirect Australia recommends you call 000 and ask for an ambulance when there is an emergency, such as when someone:
- is experiencing a suspected heart attack, or has unexplained chest pain or chest tightness
- suddenly has weakness, numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg
- is having breathing difficulties
- is unconscious
- has a seizure
- falls from a great height
- has been stabbed or shot
- has a severe burn (especially in children)
- has sudden and severe abdominal pain
- has been injured in a major vehicle accident
- has collapsed suddenly or lost consciousness
- suddenly collapses or falls
- is experiencing heavy or uncontrollable bleeding
- has one or more broken bones.
Know your cover
You can check your Hospital Cover Guide at any time to see what’s covered under ‘Ambulance attendance and transportation costs’.
Claiming on your ambulance cover
If you need to make an ambulance claim, we make things easy. You can claim:
- with the RT Health mobile app (available for your iOS or Android device)
- via email to help@rthealthfund.com.au
- or by mail to PO Box 545 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
We're here to help
If you have any questions about your cover, our Member Care team is here to help you every step of the way.
Call the team on 1300 886 123 or send them an email to help@rthealthfund.com.au