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

Non-urgent category 2 and some category 3 elective surgeries have resumed in regional Victoria, with Melbourne metro to follow suit by the end of September. Category 1 surgeries will continue unaffected by this approach.

From 28 September, all hospitals will steadily increase their elective surgery capacity, and we expect all Victorian hospitals to be back to 100% operating capacity by 23 November. 

Your specialist or hospital will be in touch if this change may affect your upcoming admission. 

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.

Non-urgent category 2 and some category 3 elective surgeries have resumed in regional Victoria, with Melbourne metro to follow suit by the end of September. Category 1 surgeries will continue unaffected by this approach.

From 28 September, all hospitals will steadily increase their elective surgery capacity, and we expect all Victorian hospitals to be back to 100% operating capacity by 23 November.

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.

Victorian residents

Non-urgent category 2 and some category 3 elective surgeries have resumed in regional Victoria, with Melbourne metro to follow suit by the end of September. Category 1 surgeries will continue unaffected by this approach.

From 28 September, all hospitals will steadily increase their elective surgery capacity, and we expect all Victorian hospitals to be back to 100% operating capacity by 23 November

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.

Medibank stores in metropolitan Melbourne 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!

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

No restrictions have been imposed on health services or community-based services that require a GP’s referral, but we recommend you call your health provider to confirm their availability during these heightened restrictions. 

As a reminder, many extras services such as psychology and physiotherapy are available to eligible members via telehealth consultations. See here for more information. 

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

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.