Informed Financial Consent

Please read the following information carefully as it explains what you need to know about the cost of your hospital stay.

Terms & Conditions

When you or another person (e.g. your next of kin or legal guardian) indicate your acceptance of these terms you are acknowledging and agreeing to the matters listed below, which are conditions of admission to hospital.

(A) Actual costs incurred may differ from the estimate provided

Whilst every effort has been made to provide an accurate estimate of the costs you may incur; the estimate may vary. This may be due to specific terms of your insurance policy or additional costs which are incurred during your hospital stay. The following examples listed below may result in additional costs payable by you:

• The hospital relies on information provided by your insurer which may change;
• In some cases, if you have an early discharge from hospital or an extended length of stay your insurer may not cover you for the period of your admission, in which case you will be responsible for any additional costs;
• Your treating doctor(s) may vary the proposed treatment, procedure (MBS item numbers) or the proposed length of stay;
• There may be a change in the medication prescribed by your treating doctor(s) or a change in the medication costs;
• You may incur sundry charge during your stay (e.g. visitors’ meals, boarder fees, and phone calls);
• Your doctor may recommend a surgically implanted prosthetic device that is not fully funded by your insurer; or
• If unforeseen circumstances should arise during your procedure it may be necessary for your doctor to use a different or more costly surgically implanted prosthetic device without prior notice to you.

(B) You agree to pay any balance of costs actually incurred

Your final account will reflect:

• The actual procedure(s) performed, treatment and service provided and your length of stay at the hospital;
• Prosthetic or other medical devices used in your treatment;
• Pharmacy (medication) costs; and
• Any other goods or services provided by the hospital payable by you.

You will be provided with an “Estimate of Patient Costs” which details the estimated hospital costs, insurer benefits (if applicable) and patient costs which are payable by you or your nominee prior to or on the day of your admission to hospital. Any additional costs are payable on discharge or upon request.

You or your nominee are also responsible for any other costs your insurer may not provide a benefit for. These costs may include but are not limited to:

• Ambulance transfers;
• Non-medical services (e.g. hairdresser, beauty services etc.);
• Non-admission related, non-PBS and discharge medication;
• Interpreter and hearing or speech impairment services;
• Boarder accommodation / meals and visitors’ meals;
• Non-Medicare rebateable items or services;
• Newspapers / magazines and personal items;
• Aids & equipment;
• Obstetric packages;
• Fee for incidentals (WiFi and Foxtel/Austar);
• Telephone calls and car parking; and
• Other goods or services.

As a condition of admission, once you have indicated your acceptance of these terms, you agree to pay your final account. If you have concerns, or a bona fide dispute regarding the final account (for example you did not receive a service for an item listed) you agree to raise this with the hospital as soon as possible and to resolve any dispute within 7 business days of receiving your account.

(C) You must pay any outstanding balance if your insurer does not cover the hospital costs

You or your nominee are responsible for paying the balance of your hospital costs:

• If the benefits paid by your insurer are less than the rates charges by the hospital (including cases where an early discharge from hospital may reduce the benefit the hospital receives from your insurer; or
• If for any reason your insurer does not provide benefits for hospital costs that arise from your admission.

(D) You are responsible for accounts from other providers

You are responsible for accounts from other providers associated with your treatment. These may include:

• Emergency centre attendance (e.g. treatment provided in an emergency centre prior to admission to hospital);
• Treating doctor(s) and surgeon(s);
• Anaesthetist(s);
• Other medical practitioners, consultants or assisting surgeon(s);
• Medical and allied health services (e.g. physiotherapy, occupational therapy);
• Pharmacy (e.g. non-admission related, non-PBS and discharge medications);
• Pathology services (e.g. blood tests); or
• Radiology services (e.g. x-ray’s).

(E) Do not bring valuables to hospital

The hospital does not accept any responsibility for and will not be liable for loss of or damage to, personal valuable items brought to the hospital by patients or their visitors (e.g. money or jewellery). Patients and visitors are strongly advised not to bring such items to the hospital.