Questions & Answers
Please review the frequently asked question and answer sheet below, which may have the answer to your question. If you find that your query is not covered by this document please e-mail details of your query to ambulancepolicy@health.wa.gov.au.
You may expect to receive an acknowledgment of your query in 2 to 4 days.
Who will be covered under the new policy, which comes into effect on 1 July 2005?
Aged pensioners will be entitled to free ambulance services and senior citizens aged 65 years and over will receive a 50 per cent subsidy. For the purpose of this policy:
- An "aged pensioner" is defined as a person who is a permanent resident in Western Australia (WA) and is in receipt of a government age pension assessed by Centrelink or an age service pension assessed by the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
- A "senior citizen" is defined as a person of 65 years or over, who is a permanent resident in WA and not in receipt of a government age pension.
Are other pension cardholders covered under this policy?
A recipient of a Pensioner Concession Card from Centrelink under any of the following categories is not covered by this policy:
- Carer Pension/Payment;
- Disability Support Pension;
- Sole Parent Pension; and
- Mature Age Allowance.
However, St John Ambulance does provide a 50 per cent concession for anyone holding a current Pensioner Concession Card from Centrelink.
Are veterans covered by this policy?
Eligible veteran beneficiaries will continue to have their ambulance transport costs met by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Other service pension recipients will be entitled to free ambulance services under this policy.
Are war widows covered by this policy?
War widows are covered by the Department of Veterans' Affairs when travelling for treatment so they do not require coverage under this scheme.
Do you need to have a Senior's Card to get the 50 per cent rebate?
Only evidence of being 65 years of age or over is required ie: driver's licence etc.
What ambulance services are covered?
- All emergency ambulance services; and
- Non-urgent ambulance services that are deemed to be medically necessary.
Medically necessary means those patients needing to be cared for while being transported to a hospital or other approved medical facility for clinical assessment/treatment and/or patients who are confused, whose conditions are unstable, and who require a stretcher, oxygen, or the skills of an ambulance officer.
In most cases, authorisation will be required from a medical practitioner for non-urgent ambulance transport.
Are ambulance services covered under Medicare?
Medicare does not cover ambulance services.
Will private health insurance companies cover the other 50 per cent cost for seniors?
Private health companies offer coverage for ambulance services. Conditions do apply to most policies and seniors should check with their private health insurers to determine their entitlements.
Will St John Ambulance require proof when accessing the government rebate?
Yes. Aged pensioners will need to provide their pension card for verification and seniors will need to provide verification of their date of birth and normal residence.
Do I need to apply for the subsidy?
No. Where St John Ambulance is informed of aged pensioner or senior details when the ambulance service is provided, the subsidy will be applied automatically. Otherwise St John Ambulance will issue an account for the full cost which will include details on how to apply for the subsidy and have their account amended.
Are transport arrangements for non-urgent ambulance services between a hospital or other approved health care facility and a patient's home or nursing home covered under this policy?
Yes, provided it is deemed medically necessary and authorisation has been obtained from a medical practitioner.
Will the spouse and other dependants of aged pensioners be covered?
If they are full dependants of the aged pensioner, they will receive free ambulance services.
Will transport from home to a private hospital be covered?
Yes, provided it is an emergency or deemed a medical necessity and authorised by a medical practitioner.
Will the government's subsidy still apply to aged pensioners or seniors with private health/hospital insurance?
Yes, aged pensioners will receive free ambulance services and seniors will receive the 50 per cent discount. Seniors with private health insurance may be entitled to claim the remaining 50 per cent fee from their insurer depending on the type of cover they have.
Are inter-hospital transfers covered under this policy?
Inter-hospital transfers between two public hospitals will be arranged and paid for by the sending hospital. Inter-hospital transfers where one or both hospitals is a private hospital are not covered by this policy. Privately insured aged pensioners and seniors should check with their insurer as to whether inter-hospital transfers are covered by health insurance.
What happens if an aged pensioner or senior is interstate and needs an ambulance?
They will be covered in exactly the same way. Aged pensioners will be transported free of charge and seniors will receive the 50 per cent subsidy.
What organisations can provide ambulance services for you to benefit from this policy?
You will only benefit from this policy by using St John Ambulance service. Ring "000" for "life and death" situations and in all other cases, phone 13 12 33.