Private vs Public Health Insurance: A tale of two medical emergencies

At nib, we’re often asked what the difference is between using the public health system and having private health insurance.

In Australia, we’re lucky enough to have the Medicare system, which is available to Aussie citizens and most permanent residents, and subsidise some health care services. However, when it comes to some medical situations, not only can private health insurance fill in some of Medicare's gaps, but it can also provide more comfort in what could be a stressful situation.

To help highlight some of the differences, we’ve put together the story of Phil and Isla – two people diagnosed with similar conditions, but with very different hospital experiences.

The above scenario is for illustrative purposes, and does not seek to reflect all differences between the private and public health care systems. A customer's actual experience may differ depending on personal circumstances, cover, inclusions, doctor, hospital and state. It is important to contact a hospital prior to a hospital visit. Before going to hospital, contact nib. We can confirm your level of hospital cover and let you know the best ways to avoid potential out-of-pocket expenses.