Medibank Private has changed its hospital products to ensure that over 90% of its Tasmanian members are covered for ambulance transport on the mainland.
Australia's largest private health fund made the change after it was revealed that Tasmanians are not necessarily covered for ambulance transport when travelling interstate.
The Tasmanian Ambulance Service provides free ambulance transport for Tasmanians in their home state, but not in the mainland states.
Medibank Private has ensured that all members with hospital cover (except its "Public Hospital" Product) will be covered for any medically necessary ambulance transport they may need while interstate. Medibank Private's popular PackagePlus range will also now include ambulance cover.
The cover will also allow Tasmanian members injured interstate to be taken by ambulance back to Tasmania to continue their hospital treatment in their home state.
These cover changes will be back-dated to 1 July 2003.