Private Health Cover For Mental Health and Addiction Recovery
Understanding the costs of private mental health treatment is an essential part of planning your care — we combine advanced mental health and addiction recovery with respectful, personalised support to help you prepare with confidence
If you have private health insurance that includes mental health hospital coverage, your policy may reduce — or even fully cover — the cost of your treatment.
Private Health Insurance
Every health fund is slightly different, so it’s important to check the details of your policy.
This may include any exclusions, waiting periods, gap payments or limits on the length or number of hospital admissions. Our admissions team can also assist in confirming what your policy includes, so you feel clear and supported as you plan for admission.
What to ask your health insurer:
- Does my policy include mental health hospital admissions?
- Are there any waiting periods I need to be aware of?
- Will I need to pay any excess or out-of-pocket costs?
- Are there any gap fees?
- Are there limits on how long I can stay, or how many admissions are covered per year?
To help you get started, download our checklist to guide your conversation with your health fund:


New to Private Health Insurance?
If you need Mental Health or Addiction Treatment but don't currently have private health cover, there may be more options available than you realise.
Most health funds apply a maximum 60-day waiting period before you can access inpatient mental health care — which is significantly shorter than for many elective procedures. Taking out private health insurance now could open the door to treatment sooner than expected.
You may have more options than you think — support is available, even before your hospital cover begins.
Support While You Wait
You don't have to wait alone. Support is available during your waiting period.
Contact us to find out how we can assist you as an Outpatient while your private health coverage becomes active. This may include access to assessments, therapeutic support, and early intervention services to help you begin your recovery journey.


Self-Funded Admissions
If you do not have private health insurance, you may choose to self-fund your care.
Fullarton Clinic also welcomes self-funded patients seeking care at our private rehab and mental health hospital.
We will provide a detailed breakdown of costs, including accommodation, medical consultations, and therapy sessions, so you can make an informed decision. Our intake team is available to answer any questions, including payment options.
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) & Other Funding Options
If you hold a Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Gold Card — or an eligible White Card — you may be entitled to fully funded mental health treatment, including care delivered in a private hospital setting.
DVA mental health support is available without the need to prove a service related connection for certain conditions, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or substance use. Treatment in a private hospital usually requires prior approval from DVA, and our team will assist with this process to ensure your care is arranged smoothly.
Fullarton Clinic can accept eligible DVA patients and will work with you and your referring doctor to confirm entitlements, coordinate necessary documentation, and obtain approval.
Some patients may also qualify for financial support through other funding programs. If you're unsure what options may be available to you, please get in touch with our admissions team — we're here to help you explore the most appropriate pathway to care.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Out-of-pocket expenses refer to expenses not covered by your private health.
While private health cover may reduce your overall costs, there may still be some out-of-pocket expenses depending on your circumstances, such as:
- Health fund excess or co-payments
- Medications not included in your cover
- Any gap fees that may be charged by medical practitioners or health services
- Specialist consultations outside your treatment plan
- Fees for additional services or extended stays
We'll provide you with a transparent cost estimate before admission so you can confidently plan.
Our team is here to simplify the process, so you can focus on what matters — your wellbeing.
Need Clarity?
Please get in touch with our admissions team if you have any questions about costs, insurance coverage, waiting periods, or payment options. We're here to support you at every stage — whether you're ready for admission or just beginning to explore your options.
Ready to Get Started?
Ready to begin your mental health or addiction recovery with private health cover? Contact our team to confirm your cover and take the next step
Related Articles

