At a glance
Make sure you understand your discharge plan before you leave hospital, including any instructions for medication, wound care or rehabilitation.
Book any follow-up appointments with your specialist or other health professionals.
Support your recovery at home with rest and nutrition and by looking after your mental wellbeing.
Make the most of your cover: with Health Concierge, eligible Medibank members with hospital cover can get personalised, phone-based health support to recover from a hospital stay or treatment at no extra cost1.
Make a claim for any eligible hospital treatment you’ve received.
Before you go home, make sure you understand your discharge plan and what to expect during your recovery.
Your discharge plan is the main document that outlines your treatment and what happens next, including medication, follow-up care and recovery instructions.
Medibank members with eligible1 hospital cover can also chat to our Health Concierge at no extra cost for support throughout their hospital admission, including once you’ve returned home.
Did you just welcome a new family member into the world?
Explore our Planning, Pregnancy and Parenting hub for information about going home from hospital after having a baby, including adding your baby to your hospital cover.
Ask for help if you experience symptoms at home
Ask your specialist if there are any symptoms you need to watch out for during your recovery, and what to do if you experience any of them.
With 24/7 Medibank Nurse Support, Medibank health insurance members can also chat to a registered nurse about their health questions or concerns and get guidance on what they can do next2. Chat online or call 1800 644 325 anytime of the day or night, 7 days a week at no extra cost3.
Looking after your body and mind can help you recover more comfortably and get back to your usual routine.
Explore your recovery options after hospital
After a hospital stay or surgery, your doctor may recommend a rehabilitation program to help you recover strength, movement and confidence so you can return to everyday activities.
Rehabilitation can take different forms depending on your condition and recovery needs. Your doctor or care team will talk you through the option that’s most suitable for you. Where clinically appropriate, eligible Medibank members could receive Rehab at Home4. Ask your specialist if Rehab at Home could be right for you.
Use your Medibank Extras when you’re ready
Ask your specialist if there are any other health professionals that could help support your recovery. Any follow-up appointments should be noted in your discharge plan. Eligible Medibank Extras could help pay benefits towards:
Psychology or counselling5 sessions to help you manage your mental health after hospital.
Physiotherapy consultations6.
Consultations with a recognised dietitian7 to help you maintain good nutrition after hospital.
Annual limits and waiting periods apply. Check your cover summary to see what’s included in your extras.
When you’re ready, make a claim for any treatment Included in your hospital cover you’ve received.
Not a Medibank health insurance member yet?
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Now that you’ve covered
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Things you should know
1 Excludes Overseas Visitor Health Cover, Working Visa Health Cover and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
2 This service is not suitable for medical emergencies and is not a substitute for a consultation with a doctor.
3 Some referred services may involve out-of-pocket costs and waiting periods may apply.
4 Must have eligible hospital cover that includes Rehabilitation, all relevant waiting periods must have been served and treating doctor must consider it appropriate. Out of pocket expenses may apply. Chemotherapy and palliative programs not available in all areas; infusion and dialysis programs subject to provider availability at the time of referral.
5 Must have eligible extras cover that includes Mental Health Support. Annual limits apply. Consultations with a recognised psychologist, counsellor or mental health social worker only. Counsellors must be registered with Australian Counselling Association, Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, Australian Traditional Medicine Society. Mental Health Social Workers must hold a mental health accreditation by the Australian Association of Social Workers.
6 Must have eligible extras cover that includes Physiotherapy and have served the relevant waiting period. Annual limits apply.
7 Must have eligible extras cover that includes Dietetics and have served the relevant waiting period. Annual limits apply.
While we hope you find this information helpful, please note that it is general in nature. It is not health advice, and is not tailored to meet your individual health needs. You should always consult a trusted health professional before making decisions about your health care. While we have prepared the information carefully, we can’t guarantee that it is accurate, complete or up-to-date. And while we may mention goods or services provided by others, we aren’t specifically endorsing them and can’t accept responsibility for them. For these reasons we are unable to accept responsibility for any loss that may be sustained from acting on this information (subject to applicable consumer guarantees).