Private vs Public Health Insurance: A tale of two medical emergencies
Private vs public: two very different hospital experiences.
![A close-up of a man's legs as he stands in front of two arrows pointing left and right A close-up of a man's legs as he stands in front of two arrows pointing left and right](https://images.ctfassets.net/hkmafl6harxv/51XHKhA4AMmeCs4GE4M8Yu/8b8063a2df8b50dfce9718515752def1/960x540_PublicPrivate_01.jpg?w=600&h=338&f=center&fit=fill&q=100&fm=avif)
![A close-up of a man's legs as he stands in front of two arrows pointing left and right A close-up of a man's legs as he stands in front of two arrows pointing left and right](https://images.ctfassets.net/hkmafl6harxv/51XHKhA4AMmeCs4GE4M8Yu/8b8063a2df8b50dfce9718515752def1/960x540_PublicPrivate_01.jpg?w=600&h=338&f=center&fit=fill&q=100&fm=avif)
At nib, we’re often asked what the difference is between using the public health system and having private health insurance.
In Australia, we’re lucky enough to have the Medicare system, which is available to Aussie citizens and most permanent residents, and subsidises some health care services. However, when it comes to some medical situations, not only can private health insurance fill in some of Medicare's gaps, but it can also provide more comfort in what could be a stressful situation.
To help highlight some of the differences, we’ve put together the story of Phil and Stu – two people diagnosed with similar conditions, but with very different hospital experiences.
![An infographic displaying the difference between public and private healthcare An infographic displaying the difference between public and private healthcare](https://images.ctfassets.net/hkmafl6harxv/3Fqzc1obKw0iGGG4mA8ICI/18715bae03719f6f494e09bd1e3f4426/nib4379_Public_Private_Infographic_OFA_0224.jpg?w=600&h=800&f=center&fit=fill&q=100&fm=avif)
![Man and woman sitting around a table laughing Man and woman sitting around a table laughing](https://images.ctfassets.net/hkmafl6harxv/5hQr8VF0ce8uTgcZOcvFA4/b58f8f2b52062b41d7899a371115342f/GettyImages-1371643087-960x540-4d1d0d7.jpg?w=600&h=338&f=center&fit=fill&q=100&fm=avif)
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![A sick young person using a laptop talk to doctor for a telehealth appointment from the living room in their home. A sick young person using a laptop talk to doctor for a telehealth appointment from the living room in their home.](https://images.ctfassets.net/hkmafl6harxv/3fvyY3bVInnwy9Wa5pfsy1/40db7a5ac4c790ac051dc0295ba72643/GettyImages-1403115160.jpeg?w=600&h=316&f=center&fit=fill&q=100&fm=avif)
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![A person walking through a park looking at their smartphone. A person walking through a park looking at their smartphone.](https://images.ctfassets.net/hkmafl6harxv/dhuMd1kKeTVtMCoeDY8as/9bb07f4ac92b9eaeabb62c1452d9374f/GettyImages-1297599517.jpeg?w=600&h=401&f=center&fit=fill&q=100&fm=avif)
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