P&O cruise dance floor mishap exposes Medicare ‘misconception’ costing travellers thousands

Aussie travellers are being warned about the high cost of medical treatment on board the ships, domestic or otherwise, after a woman racked up an $8,000 bill.

Left: Cruise passenger on board P&O Pacific Adventure with broken ankle. Right: the passenger in front of the ship before boarding.
A cruise passenger broke her ankle on board the P&O Pacific Adventure, racking up an $8000 medical bill not covered by Medicare. Source: Facebook

A P&O cruise passenger has issued an important reminder for travellers embarking on domestic voyages after her sister required medical care while on board this week, resulting in an almost $8,000 bill.

The Australian pair were on board the Pacific Adventure, which travels to Queensland from Sydney, with longer trips going to Vanuatu, when suddenly the woman's sibling "shattered" her ankle while dancing, which required urgent medical care by the cruise ship doctors. Worryingly, it isn't covered by Medicare, despite it happening within Australian waters.

"X-rays taken by doctors in the medical centre revealed a dislocated ankle and several serious fractures," the woman said of her sister on social media, warning others to be mindful of medical costs on board.

"Medicare does not cover domestic cruises," she said. Thankfully, they had travel insurance. "We don't leave home without it," she continued.

"The ship's final bill for her medical treatment on board came to just under $8,000. An ambulance will be at Circular Quay when we arrive back in Sydney to take her to hospital for surgery."

The unlikely scenario is a "great reminder why insurance is so important" said someone in the comments, with many admitting they wouldn't have thought to get additional cover if embarking on a domestic cruise — only if they ventured beyond Australian borders.

Responding to the comment, the poster agreed not many people think it's necessary, assuming it would indeed be covered by Medicare, referencing a conversation she'd had with other passengers, many of which didn't think to get it.

"Don’t play Russian roulette with your health and safety, get insurance," she warned. Hers only cost around $60, she said.

Cruise passenger breaks ankle on board ship, taken to hospital via ambulance from Circular Quay.
The woman 'shattered' her ankle and was taken by ambulance to hospital for surgery after returning to Sydney. Source: Facebook

In fact, it’s a common assumption that any medical costs incurred while on a domestic cruise are covered by Medicare, Natalie Smith from 1Cover told Yahoo News Australia — confirming it's not the case.

According to Smith, the company's head travel expert, many cruisers make the unfortunate mistake of not prioritising travel insurance when taking a domestic cruise which often leaves them out of pocket.

"There are many misconceptions when it comes to travel insurance, but one of the biggest mistakes Aussies make is not buying travel insurance when cruising Australian waters," she said.

"Too many people assume they will be covered by Medicare, when in fact, you are not covered by Medicare or your private health fund if you need medical treatment once your ship has set sail.

"While cruise ships do have doctors on board this doesn’t undermine the need for travel insurance. Without travel insurance, any medical fees and emergency transport expenses would be at your own cost. And these can quickly soar into the tens of thousands of dollars."

While passengers who are injured or ill on a cruise are not covered by Medicare while at sea, they would be covered as usual once back in Australia. However, Smith says the cost of getting back to the mainland — if emergency travel is required — would not be covered either.

"Domestic cruise policies would cover your emergency medical expenses on board, along with the cost to get you back to Australia or to the nearest major hospital for treatment. Such costs can be substantial and are not worth overlooking," she explained.

Smith noted that when taking a domestic cruise, passengers should look out for comprehensive cover with additional cruise benefits, which is usually an add-on, regardless if they're sailing near or far from home.

"This would include the benefits of an overseas policy along with any cruise-specific travel benefits, such as missed port cover," she said.

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