Confirming your fees

Private Health Insurance

Although Western Private will confirm eligibility with your health insurance provider, we strongly
recommend all patients with private health insurance contact their health fund prior to admission to confirm their level of cover. When calling your health fund please discuss the following;

Please note: if you have been a member of your private health insurer for less than 12 months your insurer may not accept liability for the hospital costs associated with your admission (e.g. if your condition or any symptoms of your condition existed prior to you joining your private health insurer or upgrading your level of hospital cover).

Informed Financial Consent (IFC)

Prior to admission we will provide you with an estimate of expenses based on information supplied by your treating doctor and your insurance or third party provider (if applicable).

On admission you will required to sign an informed financial consent (IFC) agreeing to pay any balance of costs should your insurer not cover all the costs associated with your hospital stay. You or your nominee are responsible for paying the difference.

Payment of Hospital Account

All out of pocket expenses are payable prior to your admission. WPH accepts Visa, MasterCard, cash, bank cheque and EFTPOS. Personal/business cheque, American Express or Diners card are not accepted.

Western Private Hospital will submit your hospital claim to your health insurance provider on your behalf for privately insured patients, Department of veteran Affairs (DVA) patients and WorkCover, TAC or other third party claims (providing a letter of liability has been accepted).

Account Enquiries after your stay

For any question regarding your account after your stay at hospital, please contact our Billing Department – Monday to Friday from 8.30am – 4.30pm (excluding public holidays)
Phone: 9304 7318 or 9319 3132
Email: billings@westernprivate.com.au

Self-Funded

If you are a self-funded patient, the Doctor’s rooms will request an estimation of expenses on your behalf. You are required to pay the estimation of expenses prior to or on admission. The hospital reserves the right to refuse admission if payment is not received.

The actual cost incurred may differ from the estimate, due to a change in treatment or a longer stay in hospital than originally planned. The treatment costs exceed the estimated amount; you will be asked to pay the difference before going home.

Overseas Insurance

Western Private Hospital does not accept all forms of overseas health insurance. Our Front Office staff will confirm if your overseas insurance is accepted. If your fund is not accepted by Western Private Hospital you will be admitted as a self-funded patient and after discharge an itemised invoice will be provided for you to claim from your insurer. This invoice will not be available on discharge as not all items may be entered on the invoice prior to discharge.

WorkCover or TAC

Prior to admission you are required to provide evidence of acceptance of your claim. An approval letter from the Third party can be emailed to fundcheck@westernprivate.com.au stating your name in the subject line.

If approval has not been granted for your admission or is pending, your account will be treated as self-insured and you will be responsible for payment of the estimated costs prior to admission.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Veterans and DVA patients are asked to bring their DVA card with them on the day of admission.
Gold Card holders are covered for all treatment in a shared room only. Should you request a private room, you are responsible for the daily surcharge.

White Card holders are covered for treatment subject to DVA approval.

Medical Accounts

In addition to your hospital account you may receive accounts from your Surgeon, Assistant Surgeon (if required) Anaesthetist and Physician.
For any account enquiries, please contact your specialist directly.

Pathology and Radiology Accounts

Melbourne Pathology and Capital Radiology are independent providers of services to assist your doctor to make a diagnosis or monitor your progress whilst in Western Private Hospital. You may receive an account for tests performed in hospital, which may be claimable through Medicare and your health fund.

For Melbourne Pathology Account enquiries, please call 9287 7888 or visit www.mps.com.au
For Capital Radiology Account enquiries, please call 9348 3327 or visit www.capitalradiology.com.au

Ambulance Accounts

In certain circumstances ambulance fees may be payable by patients. Western Private Hospital strongly recommends that you check your ambulance entitlements with your private health insurer and Victoria Ambulance prior to admission. For further information, please refer to the Victorian Department of Health website.

Pharmacy Accounts

Medications required during your stay are included in your hospital account. Some medications not currently on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) may be charged to the patient if your health insurer does not cover the cost. Your health fund does not cover medications that;

These charges are payable to be Pharmacy.