Cancer treatment: public vs private explained

On this page 

• Does Police Health cover cancer treatment?
• Benefits of using your private health
  • Choosing your own doctor 
  • Reduce costs with Access Gap Cover
  • Find a hospital near you
  • Cancer support program
• Other ways private health can help
• What private health doesn't cover
• Frequently asked questions 

Does Police Health cover cancer treatment? 

Yes, our Gold Hospital and Gold Combined will cover you for typical cancer treatments* such as; 

• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Immunotherapy

Gold Combined is your best option because that includes Gold Hospital and our Rolling Extras, which will help pay for some of the costs of services that help you recover, including; 

• Physiotherapy for rebuilding strength and mobility
• Psychology for coping with the emotional impact of cancer treatment

Should you go private or public for cancer treatment? 

This will always depend on your circumstances and preferences.  

However, there are many benefits for Police Health members using their private health cover for cancer treatment. 

One potential disadvantage of public cancer treatment is that you generally can't choose your treating specialist, with doctors allocated based on availability and the public hospital system.  

Depending on demand and your circumstances, you may also have less choice over where and when you receive treatment. 

Benefit of private; choosing your own doctor 

Going private means you can choose your Oncologist or Surgeon. 

With Police Health, we don't limit you to preferred doctors as long as they're recognised by us. 

Reduced doctor's fees 

These doctors may also participate in Access Gap Cover, which eliminates, or substantially reduces, the out-of-pocket expenses that are part of an inpatient hospital stay for people with private health insurance.   

It's what some refer to as a ‘known gap scheme', and all you have to do is ask your treating specialist or surgeon if they'll treat you under Access Gap.  

It is up to their discretion, but if they agree, the maximum you’ll pay is a known gap of up to $500 per doctor per hospital episode ($800 for obstetrics), or agree to no gap at all.   

Specialists aren’t obliged to participate in the scheme, so if they won’t, you can keep looking.  

It's available to Police Health members with Gold Hospital cover and Gold Combined cover*. 

Choose which hospital you go to 

Private cancer treatment means you may be able to be treated at a hospital closer to home. 

Police Health also has contracts with around 500 private hospitals across Australia.  
 
These contract agreements ensure that an agreed schedule of fees (including in-patient accommodation, theatre and special unit accommodation fees as appropriate) is charged by the hospital and paid by Police Health on the member’s behalf. 

Find a doctor or hospital near you

Cancer support program 

Police Health offers eligible members who have been diagnosed with cancer a personalised cancer support experience. 

Delivered by Spectrum.life, the program aims to improve quality of life for eligible Police Health members with or recovering from cancer. 

It's tailored to your needs and is designed to support the physical and mental health challenges of cancer. 

Learn more about Spectrum.life cancer support 

Other ways private health can help with cancer treatment 

There are many other ways Police Health can help reduce some of the costs of cancer treatment that extend beyond hospital fees. 

These are typically post treatment or surgery, and below are some of the most common. 

Wigs 

Police Health helps cover some of the costs of wigs for certain medical conditions*. 

This may help you feel more comfortable with changes to your appearance caused by hair loss. 

Benefits aren't payable on maintenance items such as shampoo, conditioner or combs, and other conditions apply to claiming. 

We encourage you to contact us on 1800 603 603 before claiming. 

External breast prostheses 

Did you know that you can claim from Police Health and Medicare when purchasing an External Breast Prostheses? 

It’s uncommon to be able to claim from both in Australia, so we've made a guide to help. 

External Breast Prostheses Benefit Guide

Did you know that you can claim from Police Health and Medicare when purchasing an External Breast Prostheses?

Read more

Travel and accommodation 

Police Health offers travel and accommodation benefits to members who need to travel more than 200 kilometres from their home to receive inpatient hospital treatment. 

This is particularly helpful if you're based in the country, and you can read more about it here. 

What private health doesn't cover  

It's just as important to know what private health isn't allowed to cover regarding cancer treatment. 

Here are some of the most common things private health insurance doesn't typically cover; 

• GP appointments and most outpatient specialist consultations (these are generally covered through Medicare, not hospital cover)
• PBS-listed prescription medicines taken outside of hospital
• Experimental treatments that are not Medicare approved 

*All benefits may be subject to Waiting Periods, Limits and other conditions. Rollover applies once you’ve completed your first 12 months membership (2 years for Major Dental). Providers must be recognised by us. Review the cover tables on the Combined, Hospital and Extras pages, and your State Premium and Benefit Guide or contact us for more information