If you are a resident of a country that has a health care agreement with Australia (known as a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement) you may be entitled to limited subsidised health services for medically necessary treatment. It only applies to ill-health or injury which occurs while you are visiting Australia and requires treatment before you go home; it does not include planned or elective treatment. Visitors to Australia on student visas may not be eligible for Medicare assistance and may be required, as a condition of their student visa, to take out Overseas Student Health Cover.

Patients who may be eligible for reciprocal rights will also need to show a current passport or Reciprocal Health Care Card. Visitors from Belgium, the Netherlands and Slovenia may also be required to show a current European Health Insurance Card. (See Patient Accounts)

For any enquiries regarding eligibility and applications for a Reciprocal Health Care Card, contact Medicare on 13 20 11

Asylum Seekers and Refugees

If you are an asylum seeker or refugee, you are entitled to free medical care except for a small co-payment for outpatient medications and medications on discharge.

Before your first appointment or treatment, you will need to provide supporting documentation confirming your status from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship or from a recognised asylum support agency such as Red Cross or IHMS. If the documentation is not produced, you will be billed; however, the fees will be waived if the documents are shown to us at a later date. (See Patient Accounts).

Private Patients

When choosing private patient care at Cohuna District Hospital, some fees may apply. You’ll be responsible for any charges from:

• Your treating doctor,
• specialist surgeon,
• anaesthetist
• Radiology services (e.g. X-rays, scans)
• Pathology (e.g. blood tests)
• Other external services not covered by the hospital

We encourage you to check your private health insurance policy or speak with your fund to understand what’s covered.

By using your private health insurance, you can enjoy added comfort and convenience while supporting your local healthcare service. You are entitled to: 

• a private room with ensuite 
• Your choice of treating doctor
• A complimentary copy of the Herald Sun delivered daily

Choosing to be treated as a private patient not only enhances your hospital experience—it also contributes to the hospital’s ability to continue offering exceptional care to the community.

At Cohuna District Hospital, we make choosing private patient care even easier. If your private health insurance includes an excess or daily co-payment fee, we’ll waive these charges.

Your support contributes directly to maintaining services, enhancing facilities, and securing the future of our hospital. It’s a simple way to make a meaningful difference—while receiving the care you need