At CBHS we help you manage your health challenges. We believe in offering you the services, support and tools you need to live your best life.
Our Better Living Programs are available to support eligible members towards a healthier lifestyle. Each Better Living Program is subject to its own eligibility criteria.
Contact us for more information and to confirm your eligibility for a program.
Hospital quality, outside of the hospital
From chemotherapy, to IV infusions and complex wound care, there are many services that we can provide in the comfort of your own home.
This can shorten a hospital stay or in some cases even help avoid it altogether. The benefits are obvious – less stress, more privacy and convenience, greater comfort, no travel, no parking fees and the ability to rest and sleep in your own bed. And there’s nothing quite like your own bed when you’re trying to recover. Plus, you get to stay close to family, friends and pets – which might help alleviate the anxiety of needing treatment.
Who can access hospital alternative treatment?
You’ll need to hold Hospital or package cover, and your treating doctor will need to approve your suitability to participate. There is no extra charge if the services are an appropriate substitute for treatment that would have been fully covered in hospital under your level of cover.
Call our Wellness Team on 1300 174 534 or email wellness@cbhscorp.com.au to find out more.
Kristine’s story
CBHS made it possible for Kristine to receive professional support at home, which meant she could leave hospital sooner.
“I was transferred to a private hospital in Minchinbury. Literally as soon as I got into my room, CBHS rang me to see how I was, and told me about the additional support services that I didn't even know existed. I spent three weeks at Minchinbury, with a stint back in Westmead for an infection, then back to Minchinbury.
By October 2018, I was home. CBHS organised home help, physio, nursing, a dietitian and a mental health nurse. It was fantastic and every single person was lovely and did their job well.
My physio, Jenkin, was fantastic. It was like we were old friends. She made a huge difference to my mobility. I am now walking with some mobility aids but getting there. If I didn't have CBHS I doubt very much that I would be walking now.”
Chemotherapy and infusions
Chemotherapy and infusions for cancer, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s and many other conditions can all be given at home. This cuts out the need to leave the house and travel to appointments, reduces stress and helps you relax in the comfort of your own home while you’re undergoing treatment.
Highly trained specialist nurses oversee the treatment of over 140 different infusions. They know that people with cancer and other chronic diseases may be immunocompromised, so they always take extra precautions to protect you and your family.
Call our Wellness Team on 1300 174 534 or email wellness@cbhscorp.com.au to check which chemotherapy treatments and which immunotherapies are covered under CBHS Hospital cover.
CAN ANYONE RECEIVE HOSPITAL CARE AT HOME?
With your ultimate health in mind, not everyone’s circumstances are suitable for treatment at home. To be eligible for Hospital substitute treatment you must:
- Be referred to service by your hospital treating team
- Have suitable level of hospital cover for your admission reason
- Live in an area with appropriate service
- Require ongoing hospital admission.
Rest assured that if you need ongoing acute care and are not able to access hospital substitution for any reason, CBHS will continue to pay for your admission.
Also, Rehab-in-the home (RITH) is an alternative to hospital-based rehab programs. If your doctor recommends you need an admitted rehabilitation program following your surgery or acute admission, discuss with your treating team where this program is most suitably delivered. As you are only able to access one rehabilitation program, and we are unable to fund RITH if you have already accessed inpatient rehabilitation services.
Member feedback on our cancer support program:
“I am sure that this has helped my recovery through a very unfamiliar medical journey.”
“I consider this service vital as often doctors don’t have time to give. And it is during the time away from the doctor that you have questions.”
“Thank you so very much for your constant and reliable support over the past 12 months. You have made this intense cancer journey a lot easier.”
Members who took part in the cancer support program rated the program highly:
IS HST COVERED UNDER YOUR POLICY OR WILL YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS?
If you hold CBHS Hospital or packaged cover, there is no additional charge for Hospital Substitute Treatment so long as the treatment you receive at home is an appropriate substitute for treatment that would otherwise be fully covered in hospital under your policy.
If your doctor recommends healthcare aids, you will be responsible for the cost of these. However, you may be able to claim for items you buy or hire under your Extras cover. Check your policy for more details or call Member Services on 1300 654 123.
Mental health
Needing mental health treatment can be a confusing and stressful time, and when you need acute care going to hospital can be very daunting. If appropriate for your condition, you may be able to receive treatment in your home, without needing to stay on a ward. Specialised mental health nurses are available to help with acute or chronic mental health conditions. They can visit you at home to offer nursing care, psychological support and help with medications. They can also provide phone or video consultations. If you’re eligible, you’ll also have access to 24-hour phone support.
Early mental health intervention at home may help to prevent a hospital admission. So, it’s best to not to delay getting in touch.
If you’re keen to better manage your condition from home, we offer Better Living mental health support programs. Needing mental health treatment can be a confusing and stressful time, and when you need acute care going to hospital can be very daunting. If appropriate for your condition, you may be able to be discharged earlier with additional treatment in your home. Specialised mental health nurses are available to help with acute or chronic mental health conditions. They can visit you at home to offer nursing care, psychological support and help with medications.
They can also provide phone or video consultations. If you’re eligible, you’ll also have access to 24-hour phone support.
Early mental health intervention at home may help to prevent a hospital admission. So, it’s best to not to delay getting in touch. If you’re keen to better manage your condition from home, we offer Better Living mental health support programsCall 1300 654 123 and ask for the Health and Wellness team.
If you need immediate help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Palliative care
It’s not uncommon for people to want to spend their last days in the comfort of their own home. We can arrange for a palliative care nurse to care for someone with terminal illness in the comfort of their own home.
Palliative care nurses can help individuals and their families through the final stage of life. They can monitor and manage pain, administer medication and help with personal care such as bathing and dressing.
Palliative care nurses are experienced in dealing with grief, fear and anxiety. They work to preserve dignity and choice in end of life care.
Call our Wellness team on 1300 174 534 for more details.
Knee and hip replacements
We’re partnering with 360 Knee Systems (360KS), an orthopaedic technology group which specialises in supporting you through a total joint replacement. The 360KS program is designed to get you back into the comfort of your home sooner, avoiding an extended stay in hospital rehabilitation. Research shows that there is no difference in outcomes following a total joint replacement if you return directly home after surgery.
The 360KS pathway starts with the right pre-rehabilitation to prepare you for surgery and help reduce your length of hospital stay.
The care before and after surgery is via a combination of face-to-face and video consults and is supported by daily monitoring. You get a technology pack including an iPad and an activity monitor so your physiotherapist can see your step count, wound healing, exercise and pain levels remotely.
The 360KS system currently caters to knee and hip replacements, with other procedures to come. Read more details about this program, or if you’d like to discuss having your knee or hip replacement with 360KS, contact wellness@cbhscorp.com.au or call us on 1300 174 534. You’ll also need to hold an appropriate level of CBHS Hospital or package cover.
