Bushwalk Australia

Planning our OT hike for December and trying to cover all bases, including something going wrong and incurring additional expenses.

Have any members ever had a medical evac from the track? If so, what costs were you billed? Did private health insurance cover any of it?

Rescue is free. Medical costs once rescued covered by Medicare/ private health cover. Ambulance (other than rescue) check your private health insurance/ambulance cover.

Both rescue and ambulance services are free in Tasmania​.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Tasmania ambulance services are NOT free for interstate and foreign visitors.

Although there are some reciprocal arrangements with some states.

Get insurance.

I agree with Mark F. If you have private health insurance it may be covered but need to check for inclusions/exclusions. I just had a look at mine which states:

"All our extras cover includes: Unlimited emergency ambulance

Includes emergency transport to hospital due to a sudden or unexpected event. Ambulance cover applies where the only practical way of getting to hospital is by ambulance.

You’re not covered for ambulance rides that aren’t essential, like transfers between public and private hospitals, moving hospitals to be closer to home or travelling from home to hospital for tests.

Tasmania and Queensland have State schemes that cover ambulance services for residents of those States."

Otherwise travel insurance may be another option, but read the conditions meticulously to ensure that you get what you need. I've found the canstar web site good for comparing those policies, at least to get a short list.