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Can I use my private health cover in a public hospital?

If you're admitted to a public hospital, you can usually choose to be treated as a public patient under Medicare or use your private health cover as a private patient. As a private patient, you use your private health cover, which may give you more choice over your treating doctor and, in some cases, your admission timing. Being treated as a private patient can involve costs such as an excess or gap fees, so it's worth understanding what you'd pay before you decide.

From 1 October 2026, if you're an affected member and choose a private room, you may need to cover the difference between the private room rate and the shared ward rate.

Always check what you're covered for before going to hospital by logging into your member account. Your hospital can also explain any out-of-pocket costs before you're admitted.

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