Charges for Primary Healthcare Services and Overseas Visitors

Primary Healthcare Services

Primary Health Services —Patient/Client Fees Schedule 


The BCH patient/client fee schedule is designed to support the financial sustainability of the health service whilst creating fairness and consistency in the way in which both new and existing clients contribute to the cost of their care.

Revenue from patient/client contributions is used to support ongoing service delivery and where appropriate, expand BCH services. Fees outlined in this policy may be subject to change.

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions or need assistance please contact the Patient Liaison Officer on (03) 5671 3108 from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Overseas Visitors

Overseas Visitors Charges are Below:

Reciprocal Rights

The Australia Government has Reciprocal Healthcare Agreements with the governments of the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Sweden, The Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia, Malta and Italy.

These agreements may entitle you to limited subsidised health services for medically essential treatments whilst visiting Australia.

Asylum Seekers/Refugees

Asylum seekers/Refugees are provided with free medical care (including emergency and elective care) pathology, diagnostic and pharmaceutical services in Victorian hospitals.  Asylum seekers/Refugees will need to produce supporting documentation confirming their status as an asylum seeker.

If documentation is not provided, there will be an expectation to pay for all associated medical costs.  When documents are presented to the Patient Liaison Officer, associated fees can be waived.

Not covered under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement or not an Asylum Seeker/Refugee

All overseas visitors that are not covered under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement or are not an asylum seeker/refugee will be treated as a Medicare Ineligible Patient and as such will be required to pay costs incurred for all medical treatment whilst at Wonthaggi Hospital.

Wonthaggi Hospital requires upfront payment of these fees prior to your attendance at outpatient clinics or the Emergency Department or admission to hospital regardless of whether you have travel insurance or private health insurance.

You will also be asked to provide the following information:

  • Your passport and visa status
  • Contact information during your stay in Australia
  • Overseas residential address and phone number
  • Relevant health insurance or travel insurance policy details.

The fees payable for services provided by Wonthaggi Hospital are detailed below:

TABLE OF FEES AND CHARGES* FEE ($AUD)
Outpatient Clinic - per visit$330 per service event
Midwifery Homecare - per visit$100
Childbirth education classes - per class$70
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT (ED) and URGENT CARE CENTRE (UCC)
ED & UCC attendance (Overseas Visitors/ Medicare Ineligible - include aids/ consumables)$550
When the ED/UCC provide aids and equipment on discharge, charges apply:
Crutches$35
Zimmer Splints$55
CAM Boots$50
Slings$35
Darco Shoes$30
WOMENS HEALTH - UNINSURED PATIENTS
Bed rate - 1st day/night includes management of birth. $3,200 First night.
$3,200 representing the first day/night accommodation & management of birth must be paid prior to the birth of your baby. Should your admission exceed 1 night, an invoice for $1,200.00 per additional night/s will be sent to you following discharge from hospital.$1,200 per subsequent nights.
WOMENS HEALTH - INSURED
Full cost recovery applies – It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate health insurance prior to your admission to Bass Coast Health.  We suggest you check your level of cover for pregnancy with your private health insurer.  
$3,200.00 representing the first day/night accommodation & management of birth must be paid prior to the birth of your baby unless you can provide Bass Coast Health with a written guarantee of payment from your private health insurer.
MEDICAL/SURGICAL ADMISSIONS
Medical - Bed Rate, per day/night$1,200
Surgical - Bed Rate, per day/night$1,500
Additional fees will apply for services provided by the treating doctors/surgeons at Bass Coast Health. An invoice for medical &/or surgical procedures will be sent to you following discharge from hospital from the providers of these services.
AMBULANCE TRANSPORTATION100% of the fee charged by the ambulance service to be passed on to the patient
INTERPRETER SERVICES$60 per hour or part thereof
*The fees above do not include additional costs for surgically implanted prosthesis, anaesthetist fees, diagnostic services (pathology, radiology, ultrasounds fees) and/or pharmaceuticals.  The  patient is responsible for these additional costs.