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).

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.

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!

Private elective surgeries are continuing as normal.

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

We recognise that thousands of Australians continue to do it tough financially due to COVID-19 and we know that they want to maintain their health cover for peace of mind, so our focus continues to be targeted support to those customers who need it most.

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 encourage people who are suffering financial hardship to contact us so we can talk through your options.

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

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

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.

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

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.