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 Substitute Treatment

Clinical quality care in your own home

Hospital substitute treatment programs (HST) can allow you to leave hospital earlier and continue your recovery in the comfort of your home, minimising hospital time. Once your treating team is satisfied you’re on the road to recovery, they can suggest you’re enrolled in either a hospital- or rehab-in-the-home program.

How hospital substitute treatment works

If the hospital team that’s looking after you believe your care could be safely provided at home, you can ask to be included in the program. The hospital will confirm you’re a suitable candidate and there’s care available. They’ll send a referral to a suitable provider, or directly to our Health & Wellness team, and we’ll then arrange for the appropriate professionals to visit you and assess your needs.

Every individual has different needs, so your treating team will make the final decision about your suitability for care or treatment at home.

If you have got a scheduled procedure coming up and you’d like to understand more, talk to us before you go into hospital.

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.

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.

Receive the same quality of care at home

Hospital Substitute Treatment programs can provide the same quality of care as traditional, hospital-based care for medically stable patients who require ongoing admission, such as:

rehabilitation following joint replacement surgery

complex wound management

mental health support

Chemotherapy and infusions for cancer, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s, and many other conditions could all be given at home. If your treating doctor believes your care could be safely provided at home, you’re a suitable candidate, this service is available in your area, and you have an appropriate level of cover, then these services can be delivered in the safety of your home. Cutting out the need to leave the house and travel to appointments, reducing your stress and helping you get important care in the comfort of your own home while you’re undergoing treatment.

Discuss your suitability with your doctor, or call our wellness team to understand services available in your area on 1300 174 534 or email wellness@cbhs.com.au your hospital referral and check which chemotherapy treatments or immunotherapies are covered under CBHS Hospital cover.

Our cancer support programs are designed to improve your quality of life and ability to perform home and work-related tasks. The program involves home support from psychologists, exercise physiologists and dietitians who are experienced in dealing with the complex needs of cancer patients.

For members who live in rural and remote areas, the entire 12-week program can be administered by video consults and other digital health tools.

Nursing and wound care

Complex wounds that haven’t healed properly after surgery may be able to be treated at home.

Specialist wound care nurses can dress and pack wounds including those which need negative pressure therapy and manage drains from the comfort of your own home.

Caring for complex wounds at home can shorten your hospital stay.

Mental health

Therapy at home

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 programs

Got questions about any of these mental health services?

Call 1300 654 123 and ask for the Health and Wellness team.

If you need immediate help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Knee and hip replacements

Short stay joint replacement program with East Sydney Private Hospital

This innovative short stay program means you can spend less time in hospital (one to three nights) and be back in your own home sooner. The program is a collaborative approach to hip and knee replacements. Your multi-disciplinary team will include orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, physiotherapists and nursing staff throughout your pre and post-surgery care.

You’ll complete personalised ‘prehab’ to help you get physically and mentally ready for surgery. After your procedure, your in-ward rehabilitation will begin that day, as part of a Rapid Recovery Program. Once you’re ready to return home, you can continue to access nursing and physiotherapy if needed.

CBHS members with Hospital or packaged cover which includes joint replacements can access this program with no gap – that means all surgeon, anaesthetist, surgical assistant, rehab and hospital fees are covered. You must have served all relevant waiting periods. Read more full details about the short stay program here.