NSW Health's commitment to providing our patients, whether they are public or private, with the best value care and experience, has been vindicated in a letter to health fund members.
Despite several statements issued to media stating that NSW public hospitals will not charge private patients out-of-pocket amounts for single room accommodation, this has not been conveyed in recent coverage.
In a letter to its members today, HCF wrote:
"Recent media reports suggest HCF members will be out of pocket an additional $320 per night if they use their private health insurance for a single room stay in a NSW or ACT public hospital.
"This is not correct, NSW Health have assured HCF that "No NSW public hospital will charge patients an out of pocket amount for a private patient accommodated in a single room."
Single room benefits paid by private health funds only represent around 0.6% of total member benefits paid by private health funds, with all benefits paid to public hospitals representing around only 6 per cent.
NSW Health has also previously stated that electing to be a private patient in a public hospital has no measurable impact on premiums.
Patients may elect to use their private health insurance in a NSW public hospital which allows patients to access their doctor of choice and accommodation in a single room, if available.
NSW Health provides information to patients to ensure they make this election on the basis of informed financial consent.
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