Medibank stores are reopening

All Victorian Medibank stores will be closed until stay home orders are lifted. 

All other Medibank stores in Australia are open to assist our members, with additional safety measures in place, such as:

• Limits on how many people can be in store at any given time
• Use of hand sanitiser before entry
• Changes in store opening hours

Check out our store locator for current opening hours of our Medibank stores. We look forward to seeing you again!

To ensure there are enough resources to help the most vulnerable Victorians in aged care, the Premier recently announced that all non-urgent category 2 elective surgeries, across public and private hospitals in the Melbourne metro area, will be paused.

At this time, elective surgeries in regional Victoria will not be affected by this change.

In all other states, elective surgeries are continuing as normal in the private system. 

If you have eligible hospital cover and are either going to hospital or you have recently been discharged, our Hospital Assist service is here for you. If you have any concerns about your hospital stay, please don’t wait, you can call us on 1800 789 414. 

We generally recommend calling your specialist or admitting hospital about the timing of your elective surgery.

While elective surgeries generally continue as normal in the private system, the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Victoria has resulted in a temporary pause in all non-urgent category 2 elective surgeries in the Melbourne metro area. Your specialist or hospital will be in touch if this change may affect your upcoming admission. Rest assured, this will not affect elective surgeries in regional Victoria.

If you have eligible hospital cover and are either going to hospital or you have recently been discharged, our Hospital Assist service is here for you. If you have any concerns about your hospital stay, please don’t wait, you can call us on 1800 789 414.

With the exception of the pause on all non-urgent category 2 elective surgeries in the Melbourne metro area, private elective surgeries in all other states are continuing as normal.

We recommend you speak with your specialist or hospital for specific information about your upcoming admission.

Put simply, good hygiene and physical distancing.

Good hygiene

Practising good hygiene is one of the most effective ways to protect against infection and prevent the spread of coronavirus.  All of us have a role to play in maintaining high standards to protect our own health and the health of each other.  These measures include:

• covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue

• disposing of tissues properly

• washing your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet

• using alcohol-based hand sanitisers

• cleaning and disinfecting surfaces

Physical distancing

Another way to protect the community is physical distancing, which is essentially reducing the contact you have with other people.  It includes:

• staying at home if you are unwell, and avoiding close contact with anyone who is unwell

• avoiding large public gatherings if they’re not essential

• keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between you and other people whenever possible

• minimising physical contact, especially with people at higher risk such as older people and people with existing health conditions 

Self-isolation

Self-isolation means you must stay at home for 14 days. You must self-isolate if you have COVID-19, or you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. The Australian Government has prepared some information around what this means and the advice you should follow.

Our experience over the last few months has shown that when we work together, we can achieve anything. 

In order to return safely to our normal daily routines, we need to increase the community’s ability to track and contain any future COVID-19 outbreaks. The Health Department’s COVIDSafe app is designed to do just that; by tracing the possible movements of COVID-19 and helping to alert people who’ve been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 

You can find more information at https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covidsafe-app

So far, our joint efforts to follow public health advice have resulted in flattening the curve and easing restrictions, including those for elective surgeries. Extras providers such as dentists are also re-opening, ensuring your day-to-day health needs can continue to be met.

While we’ll always continue to support the health and wellbeing of our members during this difficult time, we believe a greater uptake of the COVIDSafe app will pave the way for making more health support services available.

More testing centres are now open. 

Many states have increased their testing capabilities, with more and more testing centres opening around Australia. So, if you have any symptoms, please find the nearest centre https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/coronavirus-covid-19-gp-respiratory-clinics

To support customers during the COVID-19 crisis, we’ve temporarily expanded our coverage to pay benefits towards heart, kidney, lung and chest hospital admissions, regardless of your existing level of hospital cover (waiting periods apply).  This includes members with Basic and Bronze levels of cover where these services are currently excluded or restricted.

If you are admitted to a public hospital and treated as a public patient, your treatment is fully covered by Medicare and you don’t have to use your private health insurance. In fact, you may end up paying extra if you do use your private cover (for instance, if your policy includes an excess).

Please check with your hospital. If you do go to hospital, COVID-19 Health Assist can support you before and after your treatment.

During this time, it’s more important than ever that you feel supported in any decisions involving your health. So please don’t hesitate to call us on 1800 789 414. 

Please note: this is not applicable to Overseas Health Cover policy holders.

We are very mindful that the current situation with COVID-19 may place some customers under financial pressure, which is why we're introducing an intial support package.

Regardless of your level of existing hospital cover, Medibank will pay benefits towards chest, heart, lung and kidney hospital admissions, including those related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) until the crisis passes.

We have also introduced a financial hardship policy, which includes suspension to customers’ policies.

We would encourage people who are suffering financial hardship to contact us so we can review your cover options.

Please note: this is not applicable to Overseas Health Cover policy holders.

Understandably, these are stressful and uncertain times. Even if you don't feel ill, you may still find it difficult to cope with things like social distancing and any potential financial pressures. 

You may find it worthwhile to visit Beyond Blue for some very helpful information to help look after your mental health.