Going to hospital?

Before heading to hospital, make sure you're fully prepared. Check your procedure is covered, choose the right specialist and hospital and understand any costs upfront. 

Arm yourself with the info

Everything you need to know for your hospital stay: understand the basics, know what to expect on the big day, and prepare for your recovery.

First hospital trip? Start here

Hospital 101

We'll guide you through your options and next steps.

Hospital 101

Preparing for hospital

Reduce your out of pocket expenses and find a specialist.

Get organised

During your hospital visit

Understand what happens in hospital and how we can help.

Make it better

After your hospital visit

Focus on your recovery and read up on bills and claiming.

We're here for you

From sore knee to recovery, we're with you

Use this as a guide to find your way - we can help you at every step.

Hospital guide

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Woman wearing pink sports bra and headphones around her neck, holding injured knee on the ground

1. Health concern

If you have an injury or health concern and need to go to hospital, find out what options you have as a member to get the most out of your health cover.

Next steps:

Log in to check what your cover includes
Make an appointment with your GP.

Man wearing red plaid shirt at the GP office

2. GP visit

Unless you arrive at the hospital in an ambulance, you'll probably talk to your GP first about any concerns. They'll assess your condition and refer you to a specialist for further treatment if necessary.

Next steps:

Compare the benefits of surgery with other options
Ask about alternative treatments, tests, and risks
Discuss your specialist options.

3. Check your cover

You should check what your cover includes, that it’s up to date, and if you have any waiting periods before you see your specialist.

Tips:

Choose a specialist
Check your details are the same on your nib policy and with Medicare (if you're an Australian resident).

Smiling male doctor in white coat with stethoscope speaking with patient in medical consultation room

4. Specialist visit

Use your initial appointment with your specialist to make sure you feel comfortable with your proposed treatment plan. It’s important to discuss their fees and any other costs involved in your procedure including fees of other specialists involved (e.g. an anaesthetist).

Tips:

Ask about potential risks, complications and what to expect as you recover
Ask your specialist for a written estimation of fees
Ask if they're willing to participate in nib MediGap
If you’re interested in nib Healthcare @ Home, ask if your specialist is willing to refer you.

Four people sitting in a waiting room: two women looking at medical papers, a child holding an inflated glove, and a woman in pink assisting.

5. Check your hospital

Often your specialist will select a hospital for you based on where they operate. You’ll need to check if it's an nib Agreement Hospital to minimise your out of pocket expenses. If it turns out that the hospital is not on our list, you can ask your specialist to select one that is.

Tips:

Check what excess you may need to pay the hospital and when it is due
Complete any pre-admission paperwork.

A couple (man and woman) sitting down looking at a booklet

6. Prepare for your procedure

It's common to be nervous before your procedure. Knowing what to expect before you go can help ease the stress and let you focus on your recovery.

Tips:

Make arrangements for your pets and childcare if required
Organise a lift to and from the hospital
Pack your hospital bag
Pay your hospital excess if applicable
Understand and follow your pre-surgery instructions.

Doctor helping young man walk with crutches at the hospital

7. Recovery

You may have a short or long recovery ahead of you, so it's important to take care of yourself and focus on your health.

Tips:

Check with your surgeon what to expect from your recovery and who you can contact about any concerns
Follow your post-surgery instructions
Eligible members can also access Health Management Programs for extra support at no additional cost.

Get back on track

Man looking at his credit card smiling with his wife next to him

8. Bills and claiming

You may not receive additional bills, but if you do get one from your specialist, anaesthetist or other medical service involved with your admission, we can explain how to claim.

Tips

Take any bills to Medicare first (OSHC and OVHC members should send all bills directly to us)
Depending on the bill, you may be able to claim through us as well.

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Check your cover and costs

Use the Going to Hospital tool in your member account to see personalised cover and cost information for your procedure (Australian resident members only). Questions about your hospital visit? Call us on 1800 098 783.

Going to hospital?

Arm yourself with the info

Hospital 101

Preparing for hospital

During your hospital visit

After your hospital visit

From sore knee to recovery, we're with you

Hospital guide

1. Health concern

2. GP visit

3. Check your cover

4. Specialist visit

5. Check your hospital

6. Prepare for your procedure

7. Recovery

8. Bills and claiming

Check your cover and costs

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Legal information (Travel)

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Helpful links

Legal information (Health)

Legal information (Travel)