Inpatient vs outpatient care: what's the difference?

Table of contents

1. What is inpatient care?

2. What is outpatient care?

3. How is the type of care you need determined?

4. What are the differences in costs between inpatient and outpatient care?

5. Does international health insurance cover inpatient and outpatient care?

Which type of care you’ll need will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of your condition, the type of medical treatment you’re having and your post-treatment requirements, which your care team will discuss with you.

Read our guide for a detailed look at the difference between inpatient and outpatient care, including examples, the costs involved and what can be covered in international health insurance.

What is inpatient care?

With inpatient care, you will normally have to stay in hospital overnight to receive medical treatment. The length of time you remain in the medical facility will depend on your healthcare needs, and can range from one night to a few weeks.

Inpatient medical services are usually used to treat more serious health conditions and perform complex procedures, such as transplants or bypass surgery, where you’re likely to require constant monitoring and care from medical staff, as well as the use of more medical equipment.

In your private health insurance plan, inpatient care can cover the costs for the following:

• Major surgeries

• Life threatening conditions like a heart attack or stroke

• Severe burns

What is outpatient care?

Outpatient care differs from this because it doesn’t necessarily require a trip to the hospital, and can be undertaken in facilities like primary care centres or healthcare clinics.

It typically involves services such as general or specialist consultations, checkups or small routine procedures. Outpatient care is also normally used to treat less serious or complex conditions than inpatient care.

Examples of the type of outpatient services that can be covered in international medical insurance include:

• Pathology and diagnostic tests, such as x-rays, ultrasounds and ECGs

• MRI, CT and PET scans

• Specialist consultations

• Therapies, such as physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, homeopathy and acupuncture

How is the type of care you need determined?

Whether you should have inpatient or outpatient care will depend on your individual circumstances, with your treatment team basing the decision on what type of care is most suitable for your condition.

Some factors that they may take into consideration at this time can include:

• The severity of your condition: inpatient care is used to treat more serious or life-threatening conditions, so this could be an important factor in choosing your care path.

• The type of treatment: outpatient care usually consists of less invasive and complex procedures, which might not require an overnight stay in hospital, while inpatient care can involve complex surgeries that carry a higher chance of medical complications.

• Your overall health: if you have an underlying medical conditions like diabetes or heart disease, then inpatient services might be recommended in case any issues arise which call for close monitoring.

What are the main costs associated with these types of care?

There are a variety of costs associated with both inpatient and outpatient care. In the below table we have provided an overview of some of these:

Does international health insurance cover inpatient and outpatient care?

International private medical insurance (IPMI) is designed for individuals, students and families living, studying or working abroad for prolonged periods of time. It provides fast access to diagnosis and eligible treatment at leading medical facilities around the world, helping to protect your healthcare needs whilst overseas.

With IPMI, you can benefit from flexibility in your cover, meaning you can decide where you receive your treatment, as well as who provides it so long as it is within your area of cover.

Inpatient and outpatient services usually feature within this type of insurance, but specific details of your cover, such as the level and type, will depend on the plan you choose. Ensure you read all policy documentation carefully before purchasing insurance so that you make an informed decision.

Take a look at our blog to find out more about what can be covered in international medical insurance plans.