Public or Private?

Seymour District Memorial Hospital has both private and shared accommodation in the General Ward. Patients are asked on admission if they elect to be admitted as public or private patients.

Private patients have their account sent directly to their Health Fund after discharge but should be aware that there may be financial implications if their health insurance policy has an agreed excess or co-payment.  It is a good idea to check with your health fund for planned admissions to check your level of cover.

Your health fund will pay the hospital according to your level of cover.  Patients should be aware that they may be liable to pay the "gap" bewtween what the doctor charges to visit you in hospital as a private patient and what your health insurance fund covers. 

As a public patient, you will receive treatment from a range of health professionals nominated by the hospital. The cost of your stay and of the medical procedure will be fully covered by Medicare.

As a private patient, you will be entitled to services not available to public patients and you will be treated by the medical professional of your choice and professionals to whom he or she may refer you. As a private patient your health insurance fund will cover part or all the cost involved. This means that, on occasion, private patients might be personally liable to pay for the “gap” between what the Doctor charges and what your health insurance fund covers. Your health fund will be able to provide you with information about this.

SDMH has a limited number of single rooms in the General Ward.  These rooms are primarily allocated to patients based on medical need.  However, we will always endeavour to allocate private patients to single rooms where available.   In the Minor Procedure and the Day Procedure areas all accommodation is shared.

Private patients at SDMH receive free television hire.  Local telephone calls are free for all patients.  Phone cards may be purchased at Reception for long distance and mobile calls.

If you are a private patient, we recommend that you also read the section called Information for Private Patients – Click here

If you would like to discuss this further please contacts us.

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