Common healthcare words in Australia

Allied health professional - A health professional who is not a doctor, nurse or dentist, including physiotherapists, psychologists and dieticians.

GP - A General Practitioner, or doctor. You’ll find these at medical centres in the community.

Benefit - The amount you get back when you claim for an allowed service.

Hospital cover - Covering your costs when you’re admitted to hospital, including benefits for prosthesis and medical services provided during your hospital stay.

Rehabilitation – Treatment that is designed to help a patient recover from injury, illness or disease, for example physiotherapy or hydrotherapy.

Exclusions - Things you can’t claim for because they’re not included in your cover.

Out-of-pocket expenses - the difference you have to pay between the insurer’s benefit and what is charged by the service provider.

HICAPS (Health Industry Claims and Payments Service) - An electronic system that makes it easy for you to get money back by letting you claim benefits when you pay for your treatment.

Ophthalmology - specialised care relating to the eyes.

Outpatient service - Hospital service where patients get treatment without being admitted, or without staying in hospital.

Chiro, physio - specialists in chiropractic care and physiotherapy.

Policy - this is your health insurance agreement or contact with your OSHC provider.

Private hospital - A non-government hospital which is privately owned and operated for patients who are treated by a doctor they choose.

Public hospital - hospital owned and managed by government.

Natural therapies - alternative treatments like acupuncture, naturopathy and remedial massage