What if I get sick in Australia?
In Australia, we go to hospital if we have a medical emergency, or a pre-planned surgery. If it’s not an emergency, we visit a doctor or GP first. You can talk to a doctor online or see a doctor face-to-face in your local area.
An emergency is any medical problem that causes extreme pain, severe blood loss, or could cause death or permanent injury if not treated quickly. An example of an emergency is struggling to breathe, chest pains or a serious accident. If you have an emergency, call 000.
CBHS International Health provides three ways to access a doctor
or General Practitioner (GP):
- Online (telehealth or video)
- In person (face-to-face) at a medical centre or practice
- You can get a doctor to visit after-hours at your home.
Online doctor services
You can speak to a fully qualified doctor based in Australia from the comfort of your own home or office via your smartphone or desktop. Whether you need a health consultation, medical certificate, referral letter or prescription, these services are available on-demand (during extended hours) or by appointment.
If you need a prescription the doctor will send it digitally to a pharmacy of your choice.
Visit a doctor face-to-face in our Choice Network
You can visit any doctor, GP and other medical service provider within our Choice Network and we’ll cover the full cost of your visit up to the relevant service limit.*
- Find a doctor in the Choice Network or by calling 1300 174 537 (visitors) or 1300 174 538 (students).
- Call and book an appointment with a clinic from our network (let them know you're a CBHS International Health member).
- If you're seeing this doctor for the first time, arrive a few minutes early to fill in some forms.
- Remember to take your CBHS International Health membership card and photo identification with you and the medical centre may bill us directly.
*For all above services, refer to your level of health cover for eligibility, service limits, benefits, and any applicable waiting periods.
Alternatively, you can visit a medical centre or other medical service provider that isn't part of the CBHS International Health Choice Network. This will attract out-of-pocket expenses. When you call to book an appointment, ask how much it will cost. After paying for the consultation, ask for a receipt and submit a claim through the CBHS International mobile app. Simply search “CBHS International” in the app store. Once you submit a claim you should typically expect to receive the benefit within 3 to 5 business days if it's a Medical claim. For Hospital claims, the hospital can expect to receive payment within and up to 28 calendar days after submitting their bill.
For all above services, refer to your level of health cover for eligibility, service limits, benefits, and any applicable waiting periods.
No Choice Network doctor or GP near you?
If there aren't any face-to-face doctors near you on our list, you could try an online doctor.
Home doctor services
If you need urgent care between 8pm to 8am (AEDT) every day, call 24-7 Med Care on 1800 719 795. They'll help you decide if you need to go to a hospital emergency department, or if a telehealth/video appointment or home doctor visit is needed.
24-7 Med Care appointments are free for most members^.
Medical test and other service providers
CBHS International has partnered with various pathology, urology, and radiology service providers. Find a medical test provider near you here.
*For all above services, refer to your level of health cover for eligibility, service limits, benefits, and any applicable waiting periods.
^FREE means $0 out-of-pocket costs for eligible members. OVHC Base Hospital members are not eligible. Non-eligible members can access these services but will have to pay the fee and can’t make a claim.