Before going to hospital

Before you go to hospital, it’s worth checking with Latrobe Health Services that your hospital cover includes the treatment, that your waiting periods are served, that the hospital is a participating hospital, and what you’ll pay out of pocket. One call can cover all your concerns. Ring us on 1300 362 144 as soon as you have a date (the earlier the better), or contact us online and we’ll come back to you.

What should I read before I go to hospital?

• Going to hospital member guide→
• Pre-existing conditions→
• Waiting periods→

What should I do before going to hospital?

Work through these five steps as soon as your treatment is booked. Most out-of-pocket surprises come from a step being skipped, not from the cover itself.

1. Call Latrobe Health on 1300 362 144 to check your treatment is included and your waiting periods are served.
2. Check the hospital or day surgery is a Latrobe Health participating hospital.
3. Ask every doctor treating you whether they’ll use Access Gap Cover.
4. Ask for a written cost estimate from the hospital and from each doctor.
5. Check your excess or co-payment so the bill holds no surprises.

Keep the estimates somewhere you can find them. You’ll want them again when it’s time to claim on your hospital stay.

Is my hospital a Latrobe Health participating hospital?

Latrobe Health Services hospital cover is valid at every public hospital in Australia. For a private hospital or day surgery centre, check that it participates with Latrobe Health first. At a participating hospital we have an agreement on what accommodation and theatre costs are charged, which is what keeps your bill predictable.

See the current list of participating private hospitals and day surgery centres, or call us on 1300 362 144 and we’ll check the one you’ve been referred to.

Hospital excess or co-payment

An excess is a set amount you pay towards your hospital admission. A co-payment is a daily amount you pay for each day you’re in hospital. What you pay with Latrobe Health Services depends on four things: the level of cover you hold, how long you’re expected to stay, the type of treatment, and whether the hospital is public or private.

Going to hospital is stressful enough without working out your cover on your own. Have your membership number and the name of your hospital handy and we’ll check your cover, your waiting periods and your excess in one go.

Contact us Or call 1300 362 144.

You can also check your cover any time in the Latrobe Health member portal or the Latrobe Health app.

This information is general and doesn’t take your membership or personal circumstances into account. Benefits depend on your level of cover, your waiting periods and the treatment you’re having. Please confirm your own cover with Latrobe Health Services before you’re admitted.