Patients that do not have a Medicare card

If you do not have a Medicare card you will be required to pay for all services and treatment that you receive from the hospital.

Charges may vary depending on the treatment provided and whether you are covered by travel insurance, an overseas health insurance fund or an Australian Health Insurance policy. If you are covered by one of the above you will need to provide staff with the following documents:

• Copy of passport for photography identification
• Contact information while you’re staying in Australia, and
• Relevant health insurance policy details.

Patients from countries that have Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) with Australia

The Australian government has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with the governments of:

• United Kingdom
• New Zealand
• Republic of Ireland
• Sweden
• Netherlands
• Finland
• Belgium*
• Norway*
• Slovenia*
• Mala (covered from Medicare for a period of 6 months from the date of arrival in Australia)
• Italy (covered from Medicare for a period of 6 months from the date of arrival in Australia)

* You will be required to show a current European Health Insurance Card.

Note: If you applied for a Subclass Visa 410 after 1^st December 1998, you are not eligible for Medicare and you are not covered under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement.

This agreement may entitle you to limited subsided health services for medically necessary treatments while visiting Australia. It only applies to ill-health or injury which occurs while you are visiting Australia and require treatment before you go home; it does not cover planned or elective surgery or treatment.

The Reciprocal Health Care Agreement may entitle you to limited subsided health services while you are visiting Australia for medically necessary treatments when ill-health or injury occurs before you go home. It does not cover planned or elective surgery or treatment.

Students on visas from these countries may not be eligible for Medicare assistance and may be required as a condition of their student visa to take out appropriate overseas health cover.

Patients who may be eligible to use Reciprocal Rights for treatment will need to provide staff with the following documentation:

• Current passport and/or
• Reciprocal Rights Health Card.

If this information cannot be provided you will be required to pay for all treatment and services provided.

For further information visit:
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/medicare/reciprocal-health-care-agreements/health-care-for-visitors-to-australia

Asylum Seekers & Refugees

If you are an asylum seeker or refugee you will be provided with free medical care in Victorian hospitals.

Asylum seekers & refugees need to provide appropriate documentation confirming their status from the Department of Immigration & Citizenship or a recognised asylum support such as an IHMS or a Red Cross card.

Asylum seekers & refugees may be charged a co-payment for prescriptions. This will be charged at the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme rate if applicable.

Patient fees

If you are not eligible for Medicare you will be required to pay for all hospital services. Charges may vary depending on the treatment provided and whether you are covered by an Australian Health Insurance Policy or guarantee of payment from an overseas health insurance fund.

Full payment is required before discharge from the health service.

Guide to Fees for 2025 (valid until 30 June 2025)
MEDICARE INELIGIBLE PATIENTS
Urgent Care attendance with Dr consult	$220.93
Urgent care attendance	$170.19
Urgent Care attendance with Dr consult (after hrs)	$263.11
Overnight rate (Bed Rate)	$3,118.25
Dr consult (IPU)	$75.11
Maternity (birth episode)	$22,760.42
Cardiotocography (CTG)	$849.70
Radiology & Pathology*	At Full Cost
Prostheses	At Full Cost
Anaesthetic	At Full Cost
Pharmaceuticals	At Full Cost
Surgical Procedure	At Full Cost
Ambulance transport	At Full Cost

* Pathology services are provided by an external provider at EGHS and you may receive an invoice for payment of these services.

Note: The fees outlined above are the minimum that EGHS will charge and are given as a general guide only. A combination of fees will apply on multiple services. The fees are subject to change without notice.

Overseas – Medicare Ineligible Patient Form – 26.01.26

Overseas – Medicare Ineligible Maternity Patient Form – 26.01.27

Medicare Information for Overseas Patients – BRFIN01