As part of the Medibank family we have a team of health experts monitoring developments and advice from the Australian Government Department of Health. Rest assured, we’ll continue to support you and cover you for health treatments included in your ahm policy.
Our dedicated team are available to answer your questions on 1300 505 865 or you can message us. We’re here from 8am – 7pm Monday to Friday.
What are my options for managing my cover if I’m financially impacted by COVID-19?
We are mindful that the situation with COVID-19 may place customers under financial pressure, which is why we’ve introduced a support package.
To support customers during the COVID-19 crisis, we’ve temporarily expanded our coverage to pay benefits towards heart, kidney, lung and chest hospital admissions, regardless of your existing level of hospital cover (waiting periods apply).
So what happens if I’m hospitalised because of coronavirus?
To support customers during COVID-19, we temporarily expanded our coverage to pay benefits towards heart, kidney, lung and chest hospital admissions, regardless of your existing level of hospital cover (waiting periods apply). This temporary benefit is available until 1 April 2022.
To continue to support our hospital cover members, benefits will be paid towards COVID-19 related hospital admissions, regardless of your level of cover, until further notice.**
Will there be any out-of-pocket costs if I’m admitted to hospital?
If you are admitted to hospital and treated as a private patient, you may have out-of-pocket expenses.
For treatments included under your policy, Medicare and ahm will jointly cover the cost of each MBS-listed item provided in your treatment, up to the MBS fee (the set government fee).
However, if your treating doctors choose to charge more than the MBS fee, you may have to pay the gap amount as an out-of-pocket cost. Read more about how ahm’s GapCover scheme can help reduce some of these out-of-pocket costs.
Also, keep in mind that some private hospitals charge an emergency department facility fee. Because this is generally a fee that the hospital charges an outpatient, it isn’t usually covered by private health hospital insurance.
And, if your policy includes an excess, then this is also payable by you.
To support customers during the COVID-19 crisis, we’ve temporarily expanded our coverage to pay benefits towards heart, kidney, lung and chest hospital admissions, regardless of your existing level of hospital cover (waiting periods apply).
Aside from ahm, where else can I find support?
Understandably, these are stressful and uncertain times. Even if you don't feel ill, you may still find it difficult to cope with things like social distancing and any potential financial pressures.
As ahm is part of the Medibank family, we are pleased to be providing ahm members with hospital cover, access to the Medibank Mental Health Support and Nurse lines during the coronavirus crisis. Find out more.
Why should I keep extras?
By keeping your extras cover, it means you'll avoid re-serving waiting periods, which could range from 2 months to 2 years if you were to cancel your policy and then re-join. Keeping your Extras cover will also enable you to maintain any loyalty limits and/or lifetime limits you may have accrued.
Why should I keep hospital cover?
It is important to understand that once a policy is terminated, you may be required to re-serve waiting periods if you re-join. For example, if you have a pre-existing condition (PEC) and cancel your cover, you may need to serve a 12 month waiting period when you re-join.
**Waiting periods apply. Excludes Overseas Student Health Covers.
Page last updated: 24 February 2022