Public Hospital cover provides a level of benefit that will cover you for a stay in a shared ward of a public hospital. But it will not go anywhere near paying for the cost for a stay in a private room in a public hospital or stay in a private hospital. You will pay large out of pocket expenses to cover the difference in private hospital costs.

What's covered

In all public hospitals, you're covered for:

• Accommodation (shared ward only)
• Theatre
• Labour Ward
• Intensive Care
• Coronary Care
• Government approved surgically implanted prostheses
• The difference between the Medicare benefit and the Medicare Benefits Schedule Fee for claimable services received in hospital.
• Charges above the Medicare Benefits Schedule Fee for claimable services received in hospital provided by doctors who participate in nib MediGap.
• Ambulance cover (more info)

Going to hospital?

Call 13 14 63 and we'll tell you if the hospital you are intending to go to is an nib agreement private hospital. Have your Medicare item number for the procedure handy so you can also check your benefit entitlement.

Excess options

An excess is the amount you elect to pay on claimable hospital expenses - it does not apply to Extras services. The excess is only payable if you or someone on your policy goes to hospital. You have a choice of excess: nil, $200 or $400. The excess applies per person per calendar year. Families are protected by the nib Safety Net which caps the policy excess at twice the per person excess in any calendar year. Selecting an excess means your premiums are lower.

Avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS)

Those liable for the Medicare Levy Surcharge can avoid it by taking out hospital cover with an excess of nil, $200 or $400.