Hospital costs and payments

When you go into hospital, the costs of your treatment vary. How much you pay depends on whether you are treated in a public or private hospital, whether you are a public or private patient, and whether you have private health insurance. The exact rules differ from country to country, so it is worth understanding how the system where you live works before you are admitted.

It is important to know what you are covered for so you do not face unexpected out-of-pocket costs after your hospital visit. In many systems you can choose to be treated as either a public or a private patient, and even if you have private health insurance you may still choose to be a public patient in a public hospital.

Public hospital costs#

In many countries, treatment in public hospitals is provided free or at low cost to citizens and residents, funded through taxes or a national or public health insurance scheme. Where this applies, you generally do not pay for hospital clinical services, doctors’ and specialists’ fees, medication, hospital accommodation or operating theatre fees as a public patient.

You may still have to pay for some non-medical extras, such as a television or internet connection.

If you are treated as a private patient in a public hospital, public funding may cover only part of your medical costs, and you are responsible for the remainder. Private health insurance may pay some or all of these costs, depending on your plan.

Ambulance and emergency transport#

The cost of an ambulance or other emergency transport to hospital is not always covered by public health funding, and fees can be significant. Some people choose to take out separate ambulance cover, which is offered by many private health insurers. Check what applies where you live.

Private hospital costs#

If you are treated in a private hospital, you are usually charged the full hospital and medical fees. Public funding, where available, may reimburse part of the medical fees, and how much you get back from private health insurance depends on the type of plan you have.

In a private hospital, costs you may have to pay can include:

• Extra doctors’ fees, including the difference between the doctor’s fee and any standard reimbursement
• Intensive care
• Hospital accommodation
• Operating theatre fees
• Dressings and bandages
• Blood tests, x-rays or CT scans
• Medication

Some private hospitals have emergency departments. If you are treated in a private emergency department, you may face extra fees that public funding does not cover.

Private health insurance for a hospital visit#

Private health insurance can give you more choice about when you go into hospital, whether you have a private room, and who treats you. Insurers often offer plans that combine hospital, general medical and “extras” cover, so you can choose what suits your needs and budget.

Make sure you understand any extra hospital fees you may have to pay. If you are unsure, ask your doctor and other hospital staff, or contact your insurer and the relevant public health scheme. Useful questions include:

• Am I covered for my treatment?
• Does my policy have any waiting periods, exclusions or minimum benefits?
• Do I need to pay any excess or co-payments?

Planned (elective) surgery options and costs#

For planned surgery, also known as elective surgery, there are generally three broad options. Each has advantages and disadvantages, so do your research and choose the model that best suits your needs and budget:

• Public patient in a public hospital. In systems with publicly funded care, you may not have to pay for your surgery. However, you may wait a long time unless your treatment is urgent.
• Private patient without private hospital cover. To avoid a long waiting list, you may choose to be treated as a private patient even without private hospital insurance. In this case, public funding may cover part of your medical costs, and you pay the remaining medical costs as well as all your hospital costs.
• Private patient with private health insurance. Private hospital cover allows you to be treated in a private hospital. Your insurer covers your hospital costs and some or all of any medical costs not covered by public funding.

Private health insurers may charge an “excess” fee when you make a claim, and this varies between plans. Before you go into hospital, make sure you know what your plan covers by reading the policy information or asking your insurer.

Key points#

• When you go into hospital, there are different costs depending on the type of hospital and patient you are.
• In many countries, treatment in public hospitals is free or low-cost for citizens and residents.
• Public hospital care is generally funded through taxes or a public health insurance scheme.
• As a public patient you may wait longer for planned surgery unless your treatment is urgent.
• Check what your private health insurance covers before being admitted to avoid unexpected fees.

Where to get help#