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Admission to hospital

Welcome to Barwon Health. We hope the information below helps you to prepare for your upcoming care at University Hospital Geelong. 

What do I bring to hospital?

If your stay is for one or more nights, you should bring the following items:

  • Night clothes: clothing should be comfortable for moving around. Ensure your clothing is not too long as it could cause you to fall.
  • Footwear: supportive enclosed slippers or shoes that fasten with laces or Velcro straps. Avoid bed socks or loose-fitting slippers as they can contribute to a fall.
  • Toiletries: Toothbrush & paste, soap, comb, deodorant, tissues and shaving kit. Do not bring bath oil or talcum powder, as they may cause the bathroom floor to become slippery
  • Medications: please bring a list of all medications you take and any recent changes that have been made. This includes all medicines prescribed by your doctor and those purchased in a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
  • Glasses: both reading and distance
  • Hearing aids: with a spare set of batteries
  • Walking aids: your walking stick or frame.

Please do not bring large amounts of money or jewellery.

Admission requirements

It is important you complete a Patient Election Form on (or shortly after) admission. You must elect to be treated as a public or private patient. This applies even for emergency admissions. Remember it is your choice to be either a public or private patient, regardless of whether you have health insurance.

Private patients can choose to be treated by their own doctor (provided he/she has admitting rights). They can also see their doctor for post-operative care and other follow-up treatment that may be required.

Private patients are also responsible for payment of all hospital and doctor's fees.

Public patients cannot choose their own doctor, will receive follow-up treatment in our Outpatients' Clinics, and do not receive any bills relating to their care in hospital.

Smokefree support

Barwon Health is a smokefree health service and aims to provide a healthy environment for all patients, visitors and staff.  If you smoke, our staff will be able to assist you to manage in this smokefree environment and will encourage you to consider the health benefits of quitting.  Please read  ‘Assistance for smokers at Barwon Health’ which answers commonly asked questions and provides useful tips to help you during your stay. 

Compensable patients

If your admission is the result of a traffic or work-related accident you will be admitted as a compensable patient (different fees apply). Please notify staff if this applies to you. You must still elect to be public or private in the event of your claim being rejected. No accounts will be sent to you if you tell us who is responsible for your medical expenses.

Veterans' Affairs

Please notify staff if you personally are the holder of a Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Gold or White Card, all of your claimable accounts will then be sent to DVA.

Information for Medicare ineligible patients

As a Medicare Ineligible patient, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have health insurance cover or adequate money to cover the cost of your health care. Please read these flyers for full details:

Contact

If you have questions about your admission to University Hospital Geelong, please phone the Admissions Officer on ph. 4215 1298.

Private patient fees

Hospital fees

The maximum daily fee in a shared room is $509*. Day Stay fees (including Greta Volum Centre and Youang Surgery Centre) range between $300 and $472*. Additional fees apply for surgically implanted prostheses if used. There are NO theatre fees for private patients. Basic hospital insurance will usually cover these fees. If you have an agreed excess with your insurer you must pay this amount yourself prior to admission. Check with your health fund if you are unsure of your cover.

For your convenience we submit accounts to your health fund on your behalf. When the claim is approved your fund will pay us directly. Please remember though that the account remains your financial responsibility until paid. If your fund rejects your claim you will be asked to pay the account yourself.

Enquiries

If you have any concerns about admissions as a private patient, or any accounts you may receive, please contact Patient Accounts: 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday on 4215 1307 or 4215 1300.

Non-insured private patients

If you have no health insurance you must pay the estimated fee prior to admission. Payment by cash, cheque or credit card (phone payment available) can be made at our cashier desk located at Bellerine Centre, Level 3. If paying a deposit prior to admission presents a problem, please contact us on 4215 1307 to discuss a payment agreement.

Other charges

You will receive accounts from your treating Specialist, Pathology, Medical Imaging and Anaesthetics, if applicable. These services may be claimable from Medicare and your private health fund.

Single rooms

Only private and Department of Veterans' Affairs patients may request single room accommodation, however this depends on availability. Single room rates are up to $1335* per day. Your health fund may only cover part of this cost, so it’s recommended that you contact your health fund to discuss the eligible rebate on your policy.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 11 July 2023