1800 IMSICK (1800 467 425)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How do I pay?

2. What if I have no available cash?

3. What about medications?

4. What if I have a repeat script?

5. What if I do not use the 1800 number?

6. What if I get admitted to hospital?

7. Can I use Medicare?

8. If a member of my family is sick can I use the 1800 number?

9. What happens after I have received treatment and have reported the outcomes to the 1800 staff?

10. When should I report to my parent health facility?

11. What if I have a dental problem?

12. Can my spouse, other family member or friend ring on my behalf?

13. Can I obtain the number of the Medical or Dental Officer so that I can contact them directly?

14. What if I feel that I need emergency care?

15. I am a Reserve Member. Do I have an entitlement?

16. What about AIRN?

17. I am retired or a discharged member with a Veterans Affairs or Military Compensation Treatment entitlement can I use this service?

1. How do I pay?

This depends. Many providers will be aware that they are ADF preferred and will invoice you and you can present the bill to your Sickbay, RAP or Heath Services Flight. If you are required to pay up front you should keep the receipt and seek reimbursement. Your contact with a ADF health facility, and use of the 1800 number, will ensure prompt reimbursement. (Always give the provider the AHS address and referral number as a point of contact and for billing purposes.)

2. What if I have no available cash?

If you feel that you may have difficulty meeting treatment costs, you should inform the Duty Health Staff at a ADF health facility and they will Fax or Phone an undertaking to the provider that the Commonwealth will meet the cost of treatment.

3. What about medications?

Unfortunately the cost of medications may have to be paid for by the member and reimbursement sought. If you feel that you may have difficulty meeting treatment costs, you follow the same procedure as in the above paragraph. Remember to keep the referral number given to speed reimbursement.

4. What if I have a repeat script?

You will only be reimbursed for the initial script. Any repeats are to be obtained through a service Pharmacy.

5. What if I do not use the 1800 number?

Failure to use the 1800 number, where it is not a life threatening emergency, could result in the cost for consultation and treatment being incurred by the member.

6. What if I get admitted to hospital?

If you require admission to hospital you are to inform the 1800 Medical Staff immediately. They will either arrange for transport to a ADF health facility for admission or approve admission to a civilian facility. The ADF has preferred use agreements with a number of hospitals in Australia and admission to other than these will require special approval from the Area Health Service.

7. Can I use Medicare?

Whilst all Australian citizens are entitled to use Medicare, members of the ADF should in the first instance request an invoice for services provided and if this is not possible they should pay themselves and seek reimbursement. The Medicare card should only be used as a last resort. Remember to keep the referral number given to speed reimbursement.

8. If a member of my family is sick, can I use the 1800 number?

If the family member is a permanent ADF member the 1800 467 425 can be used The 1800 number is not available for use by civilians.

9. What happens after I have received treatment and have reported the outcomes to the 1800 staff?

The medical staff will record the outcomes and fax the details to your parent health facility. If you are admitted, a ADF health facility will arrange for an Admissions to Hospital Signal to be raised in accordance with current Defence Instructions.

10. When should I report to my parent health facility?

You should report to your parent health facility on the next working day.

11. What if I have a dental problem?

The local Area Health Service has a Dental Officer on call. The procedure is the same as for Medical problems.

12. Can my spouse, other family member, or friend, ring on my behalf?

If you feel too unwell to come to the phone, a third party can ring the number and pass information. However, to avoid confusion direct contact with the affected member is preferred.

13. Can I obtain the number of the Medical or Dental Officer so that I can contact them directly?

Under no circumstances will service health personnel phone numbers be released to a third party. The appropriate staff will contact you if required.

14. What if I feel that I need emergency care?

Go to the nearest Emergency department or ring 000. You are to contact the local ADF health facility at the first available opportunity.

15. I am a Reserve Member. Do I have an entitlement?

If you are a reserve member currently on Continuous Full Time Service/ Training or Full Time Duty an entitlement may exist to be treated at public expense. However, in all other circumstances there is no entitlement.

16. What about AIRN?

Questions regarding AIRN entitlements should be directed to your orderly room or the Area Health Service during normal working hours.

17. I am retired, or a discharged member with a Veterans Affairs or Military Compensation Treatment entitlement can I use this service?

This service is only available to serving ADF members and some entitled Reserve members.