Ambulance Only Cover

With HIF, making a claim is easy! Just send us a copy of your paid or unpaid ambulance invoice and we’ll pay the benefit into your nominated bank account. Oh, and if you find an old receipt you forgot to claim, don't stress - you can lodge Ambulance claims up to two years from the original date of service. You can claim online through our 24/7 Member Centre, claim on your mobile with our HIF Member App, available for Apple and Android devices, as well as claim by email with a claim form. To find out more and download a claim form, visit hif.com.au/claim. 

Please note: Waiting limits and product specific service limits apply. Benefits are payable by HIF only for ambulance services approved by HIF. 

Yes, eligible residents are covered Australia wide for emergency road ambulance transport through our ambulance cover. HIF offers reliable ambulance cover Australia wide, giving members peace of mind wherever they are.

It is worth noting that each state in Australia has different arrangements and subsidies for ambulance transport. To find out more information on ambulance cover and average costs for each state check out the government's guide here.

Each state in Australia has different arrangements and subsidies for ambulance transport. In Queensland and Tasmania, ambulance costs are subsidised by State governments, which means you may not need private health cover for ambulance services in these states. To find out more information on ambulance cover and average costs for each state check out the government's guide here.

Some states offer subsidised or free ambulance cover for pensioners and concession card holders. So, if you are a pensioner, ambulances may be free depending where you live. However, it's essential to check your specific state's policies and understand what is included in your ambulance cover.

Here’s a quick guide to the states and territories:

Queensland and Tasmania

HIF Ambulance Only Cover is not available for purchase for Queensland and Tasmanian residents. Residents may be covered for unlimited emergency services provided by their respective state governments. Interstate ambulance service charges for these residents may not apply if reciprocal agreements are in place with the other states where the ambulance service was required. To find out more information on ambulance cover and average costs for each state check out the government's guide here.

NSW and the ACT

Residents who hold HIF Hospital cover are covered for unlimited emergency ambulance services provided in their home state by their state government or territory ambulance service. Interstate emergency services may also be covered if there’s a reciprocal state agreement. If you have HIF Hospital, Extras, or Ambulance Only cover, HIF will pay for the ambulance bill; however, depending on your level of cover a co-payment of $50 per trip may apply, if your ambulance service is classified as ‘non-emergency’ by the attending ambulance service personnel.

WA, SA, Victoria and the NT

In all other locations and circumstances, you can claim on your Hospital/Extras/Ambulance Only insurance for emergency ambulance services, subject to the service being provided by the recognised St John or state government-controlled ambulance organisation (the service being deemed as medically necessary by the attending ambulance officer).

Emergency ambulance transport is when an approved transport ambulance service provider classifies your case as requiring urgent attention, or where you’re admitted to the emergency department of a hospital.

Non-emergency services require medical attention but are not immediately life threatening, this is determined by the treating paramedic. Services classified as non-emergency are subject to a $50 call-out fee.

When you receive an ambulance account HIF will cover the entire fee for eligible emergency services. A $50 co-payment applies per trip on non-emergency services.

To claim simply submit your unpaid ambulance invoice together with a completed claim form to us and we will pay the ambulance service provider directly (minus the $50 co-payment for non-emergency services). If you've already paid the invoice in full, we'll pay you directly.

There are no Medicare rebates for emergency ambulance treatment and transport. If you don’t qualify for subsidies in your home state and don’t have ambulance cover from a private health insurance company, you’ll have to pay the full cost of an ambulance ride out of your own pocket. That’s why we suggest you consider taking out ambulance cover that you can use Australia wide!

A 1 day waiting period applies for emergency road ambulance services under our ambulance cover and a 30-day waiting period applies for 'Non-Emergency' road ambulance.