What happens if you’re hospitalised overseas?

Nobody expects to end up in hospital while they're on holiday. One minute you're exploring a new city or relaxing by the pool, and the next you're trying to navigate an unfamiliar healthcare system, possibly even in another language.

It can be frightening, especially if you don't know who to contact or how you'll pay for treatment. That’s where your Travel Insurance will help.

While every situation is different, knowing what to expect before you travel can make a difficult experience much easier to manage. This guide explains what to do if you're hospitalised overseas, who is responsible for your medical bills, and why having the right Travel Insurance matters.

* Any recommendations made about the insurance is general advice only and doesn't take account of your particular needs and circumstances. You must read the Combined Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination before you decide to buy the Travel Insurance to ensure that it meets your needs and financial situation. Sub-limits, terms, conditions, and exclusions may apply. Please refer to the PDS for full details.   The FSG/PDS also contains information about the Cooling Off Period, and how you can access EAA’s privacy policy and complaints handling procedures. 

What should you do if you're hospitalised overseas?

If you're admitted to hospital while travelling, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Rather than trying to deal with everything at once, focus on the immediate priorities. Once you're receiving medical care, there are a few important people you'll want to contact. Remember to take your policy details and claims contact details with you when you travel. You can usually find these in your policy documents, confirmation email, or on your insurer’s website.

1. Get medical help first

Your health should always be your first priority. If you need urgent medical attention, call the local emergency services or ask someone nearby to do so.

Emergency numbers vary from country to country, so it's worth checking the number for your destination before you leave Australia and saving it in your phone. Even if your condition doesn't seem serious, it's always best to seek medical advice promptly. What starts as a minor illness or injury can sometimes become more serious if left untreated.

If you have Travel Insurance, your provider may also have an emergency assistance helpline. Save this number before you travel and contact them as soon as you reasonably can if you need medical assistance overseas. They can explain what support may be available under your policy and what you may need to do next.

2. Contact your travel insurer as soon as you can

Once you're able, contact your Travel Insurance provider's emergency assistance team.

Depending on your policy, they may be able to:

• Speak directly with the hospital about your treatment.
• Arrange payment guarantees where appropriate.
• Liaise with medical staff.
• Help keep your family informed.
• Coordinate ongoing care or medical transport if required.

Getting your travel insurer involved early can help avoid delays and ensure your treatment is managed in line with your policy.

3. Contact the Australian Government if you need extra support

If you need consular assistance, you can also contact the Australian Government's Consular Emergency Centre or your nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

While consular staff can't make medical decisions or pay your bills, they can provide practical support during a difficult situation.

What should you take with you to hospital?

If you're able to, having a few important documents and details to hand can make it easier for hospital staff and your Travel Insurance provider to help you.

Try to keep the following with you or stored somewhere that's easy to access:

• Your passport
• Your Travel Insurance policy number and emergency assistance contact details
• A list of any medications you're taking
• Details of any allergies or pre-existing medical conditions
• Emergency contact details for family or friends

It's also a good idea to save digital copies of important documents securely online or on your phone before you leave Australia, just in case the originals are lost or stolen.

Who pays for hospital treatment overseas?

Many Australians assume Medicare will help if they become ill overseas, but that's generally not the case.

If you're admitted to hospital overseas, you're usually responsible for your medical expenses unless they're covered by your Travel Insurance or another arrangement. Depending on where you're travelling and the treatment you need, those costs can quickly become significant. Before you travel, check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)  and Target Market Determination (TMD), including the policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions, to make sure the cover is suitable for your needs.

Does Medicare cover you overseas?

In most cases, no. Medicare generally doesn't pay for hospital treatment or emergency medical care once you've left Australia.

Australia does have Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCAs) with eleven countries, which may provide access to some medically necessary treatment through the public healthcare system. However, these agreements are limited and shouldn't be considered a substitute for comprehensive Travel Insurance. Please check the Government website for more details.

Reciprocal Health Care Agreements have limits

Even where an RHCA applies, it may not cover:

• Private healthcare.
• Medical evacuation.
• Returning to Australia for treatment.
• Ongoing medical expenses.
• Out-of-pocket costs.

Think of these agreements as a safety net rather than complete protection.

Will you have to pay before receiving treatment?

The answer depends on where you're travelling, the type of treatment you need and the hospital providing your care.

In a medical emergency, hospitals will usually prioritise urgent treatment. However, for non-emergency care, some hospitals may ask for payment, proof of Travel Insurance or a payment guarantee before treatment begins.

If you have Travel Insurance, contact your insurer as soon as possible. Depending on your policy, they may be able to liaise directly with the hospital and arrange payment guarantees where appropriate, helping to reduce some of the stress during an already difficult situation. 

* Any recommendations made about the insurance is general advice only and doesn't take account of your particular needs and circumstances. You must read the Combined Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement  and Target Market Determination before you decide to buy the Travel Insurance to ensure that it meets your needs and financial situation. Sub-limits, terms, conditions, and exclusions may apply. Please refer to the PDS for full details.   The FSG/PDS also contains information about the Cooling Off Period, and how you can access EAA’s privacy policy and complaints handling procedures.

How can the Australian Government help?

If you're hospitalised overseas, Australian consular staff can provide practical support, but it's important to understand what they can and can't do.

They may be able to help by:

• Providing details of local doctors and hospitals.
• Contacting your family or friends.
• Liaising with local authorities.
• Helping replace a lost passport.
• Putting you in touch with translators or legal services.

They can't:

• Pay your hospital or medical bills.
• Lend you money.
• Arrange medical evacuation.
• Override decisions made by doctors.
• Secure your release from the hospital because of unpaid bills.

Understanding these limitations before you travel can help you know where to turn if you need assistance.

What is medical evacuation and repatriation?

Sometimes the nearest hospital isn't able to provide the treatment you need. If that's the case, doctors may decide you need to be transferred to another medical facility. This is known as medical evacuation.

In more serious situations, you may need to return to Australia to continue your treatment. This is called medical repatriation.

Medical transport can involve specialist aircraft, medical equipment and trained healthcare professionals. Depending on your circumstances, costs can range from tens of thousands of dollars to well over $100,000.

Due to the complexity involved, medical evacuation and repatriation should always be arranged through your Travel Insurance provider where required under your policy.

How Travel Insurance can help

A medical emergency overseas often involves much more than hospital treatment alone.

Depending on your policy, comprehensive Travel Insurance may provide cover for eligible:

• Hospital treatment
• Doctor and specialist fees
• Prescription medication
• Emergency dental treatment
• Medical evacuation
• Repatriation to Australia
• Additional accommodation and travel expenses if your plans change

Every policy is different, so it's important to understand what's covered before you travel. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, make sure it's declared when arranging your policy, as undeclared conditions may not be covered. Please refer to the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)  and Target Market Determination (TMD) for more details.

Travelling with a pre-existing medical condition

If you're living with a pre-existing medical condition, it's particularly important to understand how your Travel Insurance works before you leave Australia.

When arranging your policy, you'll usually need to declare any existing medical conditions during the application process. This allows your insurer to assess your circumstances and explain what cover is available. If a relevant medical condition isn't declared, you may not be covered for related claims overseas.

Before you travel, take the time to read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and make sure you understand what's included in your policy. Having the right cover in place before you leave can make it much easier to access support if you need medical treatment while you're away.

Before you travel: a quick checklist

A little preparation before you leave Australia can make a big difference if the unexpected happens overseas. Before you travel, remember to:

✔ Save your destination's emergency numbers in your phone.

✔ Keep your Travel Insurance policy details and emergency assistance number somewhere easy to access.

✔ Pack enough prescription medication for your trip and carry it in your hand luggage where appropriate.

✔ Check whether your destination has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia, while remembering these agreements only provide limited assistance.

✔ Read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), so you understand what your policy covers.

✔ Share your itinerary and emergency contact details with a trusted friend or family member.

Taking a few minutes to prepare before you leave can help you feel more confident and make it easier to deal with unexpected situations if they arise.

Travel with confidence

No one plans to end up in hospital while they're overseas, but knowing what to do if the unexpected happens can make a difficult situation much easier to manage. Understanding how overseas healthcare works, who to contact and what support is available means you'll be better prepared if you ever need medical treatment while travelling.

Before you leave Australia, take the time to understand your Travel Insurance, keep important contact details somewhere easy to access and make sure you've declared any pre-existing medical conditions. A little preparation before your trip can help ensure you have the right support in place, leaving you free to focus on enjoying your travels.