Domestic Evacuation Insurance

[Happy Pirate]

Has anyone ever taken out Evac insurance to cover the cost of helicopter rescue?
I'm hoping to do the AAWT and don't have medical insurance but most travel insurance seems to cover a lot of needless extras like lost luggage and trip cancellation.
I'm currently based in Tas so Vic Ambulance insurance may be complicated?
Any other providers that anyone knows about?

[north-north-west]

I don't know if it still applies, but when I was living in Victoria, membership of the ambulance service was cheap and covered helicopter evac. Check their page and see what the costs and services are now. As you say, there may be complications due to residence but you could always try to borrow someone else's address. I'm sure there would be forum members who'd help out.

We had one diver way back when who had an undignosed patent foramen ovale and ended up with a cerebral embolism. Luckily there were people around at the time who knew what to do and he was fine after being airlifted to the Albert Hospital, except for the bill (not a member). Two or three months after recommencing diving it happened again, and that was when the PFO was found. Coincidentally, that was when he (and a lot of other Portsea divers) joined the ambulance service, because $600 in 90s money per ride with the portable chamber is not cheap.

[Eremophila]

https://myrigadventures.com/ambulance-c ... australia/

https://www.health.tas.gov.au/hospitals ... ther-state

Maybe best to contact Ambulance Tasmania and chat to them. It appears you are covered by the Tasmanian Govt in Victoria and NSW.

[Happy Pirate]

https://myrigadventures.com/ambulance-cover-travelling-australia/

https://www.health.tas.gov.au/hospitals ... ther-state

Maybe best to contact Ambulance Tasmania and chat to them. It appears you are covered by the Tasmanian Govt in Victoria and NSW.

I don't know if it still applies, but when I was living in Victoria, membership of the ambulance service was cheap and covered helicopter evac. Check their page and see what the costs and services are now. As you say, there may be complications due to residence but you could always try to borrow someone else's address. I'm sure there would be forum members who'd help out.

Thanks, good information. It may be complicated by me not strictly being a resident of Tassie at that point, as I may transition back to Vic afterwards. But getting Vic ambulance cover ought to cover all bases.

[bernieq]

In the event of an injury requiring Search & Rescue (SAR) evac, there is no charge to the injured person. However, if the helicopter transferred the injured person to a waiting ambulance (for example), there most likely would be a cost unless they had ambulance insurance.

That said, ambulance insurance is something everyone should have. Note, though, that you need to be resident in Victoria (as you do for Tassie).

[Moondog55]

Don't the various ambulance associations in each state have reciprocal arrangements?

[keithj]

Our family has Bupa ambo cover - https://www.bupa.com.au/health-insuranc ... ance-cover
It 'Includes some air services and treatment by Bupa recognised providers' - costs us $43pa - I think I pay quarterly - so for ~$15 you should be covered for AAWT or any state.

[IDP]

My understanding is that Queensland residents are covered Australia-wide https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/emerge ... -treatment

But this arrangement seems to be different for other states

[crollsurf]

From first-hand experience in NSW, Ambulance NSW will send you a bill for helicopter rescue. But it's covered by ambulance insurance.

Just about every health insurance covers ambulance, even the junk insurance a lot of workers have to avoid the Medicare levy.

Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk

[DaveTas]

Crollsurf - was the bill you received for medical care provided by paramedics during the evac/flight, or for the actual use of the helicopter?
Was it the Westpac chopper?

[crollsurf]

Crollsurf - was the bill you received for medical care provided by paramedics during the evac/flight, or for the actual use of the helicopter?
Was it the Westpac chopper?

I was rescued by Toll Ambulance ACT. The bill was from Ambulance NSW. It wasn't itemised, but it was for many thousands of dollars. I can't remember the figure now, but somewhere between $3-5000. Just filled out a form with my insurance details, and that's the last I heard of it.

Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk

[DaveTas]

I dare say that would have been the charge for the medical treatment, not the rotary wing evac. You’d expect a much higher bill for the chopper.