Claiming works differently depending on whether you're claiming for extras provider costs, hospital costs or medical (doctor or specialists costs in hospital) costs.
How do I claim for extras services?
There are a number of ways you can claim your extras benefits. Please note GMHBA members have two years from the date of service to submit a claim.
On the spot – Most claims can be processed when you have your appointment. Swipe your GMHBA membership card when paying for your appointment and GMHBA pays the provider directly, so you just have to pay the difference. Please note, some providers may not have this facility.
Use the GMHBA app – Take a photo of your receipt and upload in the app to make a claim. To download visit the App Store or Google Play.
In the member area – Log in to your secure online member area to easily make a claim. This is the fastest way to receive your benefits if you need to manually claim. Benefits will be put directly into your nominated bank account.
In a branch – Visit your local branch to make a claim.
By post – Complete a claim form and submit by post.
Which extras providers can I use?
You can visit and claim on any provider service who is registered with the appropriate board for their field, and practising in a private practice, provided that you're covered for the relevant service.
If you want to confirm that your provider is listed with GMHBA, you can also contact us, or ask when booking your appointment.
How do I claim if I go to hospital?
When you go to hospital, it can be confusing to work out what can be claimed against your private health insurance, what can be claimed against Medicare, and whether there are any out of pockets. As a starting point, it’s important to understand the difference between hospital and medical costs.
Hospital costs
This is the cost of services provided by the hospital, and typically includes things such as the hospital accommodation, operating theatre fees and dressing and bandages.
If you go to a hospital as a private patient for a procedure that's included on your cover, you will still have to pay your excess upfront and any other out-of-pocket costs relating to your admission.
Which hospitals are on GMHBA's "participating hospital list"?
Check the list of participating private hospitals. This is subject to change, so to be 100% sure, either ask the hospital, or contact us.
Medical costs
Medical costs are processed differently to hospital costs. The Medicare Benefit Scheme (MBS) outlines a list of procedures Medicare covers, as well as what they’ll pay towards it. When you have hospital treatment, your specialists’ bills are covered between Medicare and GMHBA. Medicare pays for 75% of the MBS and GMHBA pays the remaining 25%. Out of pocket expenses occur when your specialist charges more than the price listed in the MBS, which is why it’s always important to understand their charges before treatment.
How medical costs are paid depends upon whether or not your specialist is participating in the Access Gap Cover Scheme. Specialist doctors who are registered for, and use, the Access Gap Cover scheme get a higher fee from GMHBA (more than the standard 25%), in exchange for limiting the gap they charge to you. There are two scenarios for how you may be billed by your specialist doctor when they use the Access Gap Cover scheme:
- No Gap – this is where there will be no gap for you to pay following the procedure
- Known Gap – this is where you will be charged a maximum gap of $500 per specialist, per admission to hospital or a maximum of $800 for obstetrics services.
If your health care provider is participating in Access Gap Cover
- The medical bill will be sent directly to Medicare and GMHBA.
- Medicare will pay benefits directly to your provider.
- We will pay eligible benefits to your provider and there is nothing else you need to do.
- The provider will bill you for whatever is not covered by Medicare and GMHBA. These are the out-of-pocket costs.
If your health care provider is not participating in Access Gap Cover
- If you receive a medical bill, when you leave hospital, you will need to complete and submit a Two-way claim form to Medicare.
COMPLETE A TWO-WAY CLAIM - After Medicare complete their part of the Two-way claim, they’ll send it to GMHBA.
- We will pay eligible benefits and there is nothing else you need to do.
- The provider will bill you for whatever is not covered by Medicare and GMHBA. These are the out-of-pocket costs.
Which doctors are participating with GMHBA?
Specialists can opt to use the Access Gap Cover Scheme on a case by case basis, so it's best to confirm with them directly. If they aren't registered you can ask whether they would be willing to participate and you can also contact us to check whether they have previously registered to participate in the Access Gap Cover Scheme.