Health Insurance.

[Pushka]

I’ve googled today and found a policy that covers those damn knees and hips and is about $40 a month cheaper but doesn’t include some dental. The optometrist cover is lamentable on BUPA, because you think you are covered and still end up shelling out stacks of hundreds. They don’t like it when I keep reusing my frames from year to year but they are rayban based and always in style. Dental - piffle that is deducted isn’t worth it. Don’t plan on getting dentures.

 

[love_the_life]

Yes. That’s the system in SA too. The public hospital bills back the private hospital for your stay and the number crunchers love it. Didn’t get me a private room though but a mixed ward of 6 people. But I did get a free TV and paper. But it was too noisy in the ward to hear the TV and I never bother with papers.

I’d never drop private completely but this latest move has me wanting to move. Last straw.



Indeed. Fingers crossed for that too.

If you are covered with one fund and then transfer then there are no waiting periods unless you’ve upgraded your cover. But that applies with the original fund anyway.

Sons friend with bowel cancer started chemo and radiotherapy this week. His mum had huge guilts because she’d been paying for his health insurance until late last year. But had cancelled it so he’s into the public system now. His only issue will be if he wants to choose his own surgeon when the tumour has shrunk sufficiently.

IIRC most of the chemo/radio is delivered by the public system so he should be fine so far. As you say, the issue might come with the choice of surgeon. Radical surgery is not something I would choose a private hospital for really as it the big public ones that do most and seem to have the best outcomes. I may be wrong as this is only based on the few people I know who have had various experiences.
Re choice of surgeon, the one who did son's parotid ademoma (when I was on QM2 with you Pushka) chose to treat him as a public patient so there was no cost at all. He only had to wait about 3 months from memory. We did say if it was going to be an extended wait, to go private and we would cover the gap for him.

 

[RB]

Isn't it more about getting cover for a private hospital bed, rather than in the public hospital system? Depends on whether the private hospitals in your area have the facilities to deal with your condition at the time I guess.

Not every town/place has access to a private hospital. I also believe that many private hospitals don't have an emergency dept & you won't be taken there by an ambulance

 

[Must...Fly!]

I’ve googled today and found a policy that covers those damn knees and hips and is about $40 a month cheaper but doesn’t include some dental. The optometrist cover is lamentable on BUPA, because you think you are covered and still end up shelling out stacks of hundreds. They don’t like it when I keep reusing my frames from year to year but they are rayban based and always in style. Dental - piffle that is deducted isn’t worth it. Don’t plan on getting dentures.

Split your hospital & extras cover across insurers.

I currently with AHM for both but will look around.

When I left HBF, the operator suggested a lower level of cover..."you're young, why do you need cardio or oncology cover?". Personally those things scare me most, so if I'm not going to be covered for them what's the point...

 

[VPS]

A timely thread as I'm about to investigate. Interested in people that have their hospital and extras with different suppliers

 

[amaroo]

Our policy is grandfathered in from the old AHM days and I had similar when I phoned to discuss removing IVF/baby/pediatric removed (that ship passed long ago).

If I did remove coverage for these, we would have less benefits but pay more so we're keeping the grandfathered policy and every now and then I read the fine print and find things to claim (like Tens machine, yearly swimming pool pass, O2 refills for hubbys 1st aid bottle/scuba safety ect).

Same Same. We had a GF policy with MBP ... they lobbied me for years to change. I did, however not with them.

We were able to leverage my wife’s grandfather’s WW2 war service and join Defence Health. Cover for the job lot, and cheaper than MBP.

Like most things insurance is expensive - IIRC we pay around $650/month, but with our kids allowed to say on the policy for most of their adult life we’re happy.

FWIW the kids can remain with DF after they leave the nest .... so that’s another bonus.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

—- snip
Like most things insurance is expensive - IIRC we pay around $650/month, but with our kids allowed to say on the policy for most of their adult life we’re happy.

FWIW the kids can remain with DF after they leave the nest .... so that’s another bonus.

Can you provide some more detail on the ‘kids deal’ please? I was under the impression that kid cover cuts out at age 25 (assuming FT study).

 

[amaroo]

Can you provide some more detail on the ‘kids deal’ please? I was under the impression that kid cover cuts out at age 25 (assuming FT study).

That’s correct. I was being sarcastic, I left home at 16 ... I can see my kids never leaving

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

That’s correct. I was being sarcastic, I left home at 16 ... I can see my kids never leaving

My apologies, I literally took it literally...

 

[k_sheep]

I hate hate hate it all too. It's all stupid. Bah. I would far prefer to be treated in the public system (with the exception of mental health as others have alluded to). But am basically forced to shell out for cover I won't use thanks to the stupid medicare surcharge and over-30 stranglehold. Stupid! I'd much rather just increase the base medicare levy and we can all enjoy the great public system we have.

In my "last straw" research, it's actually pretty easy to qualify for Defence health (eg my partners grandfather served so we qualify), price is pretty good, so recommend checking that out.

 

[JohnK]

Medibank Private took away some benefits last year for my benefit and increased the premium.

I've not seen anything this year but have an email about a snapshot of my cover that I've not bothered to open. I don't understand how they can keep increasing premiums at 9-10% every year.

 

[Pushka]

I hate hate hate it all too. It's all stupid. Bah. I would far prefer to be treated in the public system (with the exception of mental health as others have alluded to). But am basically forced to shell out for cover I won't use thanks to the stupid medicare surcharge and over-30 stranglehold. Stupid! I'd much rather just increase the base medicare levy and we can all enjoy the great public system we have.

In my "last straw" research, it's actually pretty easy to qualify for Defence health (eg my partners grandfather served so we qualify), price is pretty good, so recommend checking that out.

Ah. My Dad and Grandfather both served so I will definitely check that out. My niece was in it through her husbands worked and it sounded fabulous. Thanks for the tip.

Indeed it is good. And we qualify on 2 levels. As family and supporter. We’ve both worked as contractors with ASC.

 

[Renato1]

A very important feature in a health insurance fund for us leisurely types who travel a lot - which helps keep the average cost down - is that it offers the option of suspending membership while overseas. My fund allows the suspension if I'm out of the country for at least 28 days (I have to supply copies of the boarding passes to prove it, when I get back)

So three years ago, we went to Europe for three months, where we were covered by CBA/Allianz complimentary credit card travel insurance, and I saved over a $1000 in premiums. The next year, we went to the USA for a month where I suspended my cover again - and it was in the same financial year as the European trip. I later I did my tax return for that financial year, and my accountant's computer said I'd get a $6000 refund. But when I got the actual refund, it was over $9000. I suspect the extra refund had something to do with health insurance/medicare levy, but never figured it out.
Regards,
Renato

.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Yes, it's that time or year again. Last March I paid 12 months in advance to beat the price rise (thanks to the suggestions on AFF).

Was looking to do the same this year and discovered that paying my fund NIB by credit card is 4.04% dearer than a direct debit from my bank! WTF; what happened to the Reserve Bank's rule on credit card fees? I'll have to look around for another provider (again).

BTW; has anyone paid there annual fee using those GCs, $100 at a time?

 

[Jacques Vert]

A very important feature in a health insurance fund for us leisurely types who travel a lot - which helps keep the average cost down - is that it offers the option of suspending membership while overseas. My fund allows the suspension if I'm out of the country for at least 28 days (I have to supply copies of the boarding passes to prove it, when I get back)

So three years ago, we went to Europe for three months, where we were covered by CBA/Allianz complimentary credit card travel insurance, and I saved over a $1000 in premiums. The next year, we went to the USA for a month where I suspended my cover again - and it was in the same financial year as the European trip. I later I did my tax return for that financial year, and my accountant's computer said I'd get a $6000 refund. But when I got the actual refund, it was over $9000. I suspect the extra refund had something to do with health insurance/medicare levy, but never figured it out.
Regards,
Renato

.

Thanks for that. Which fund were you with? I'll be ringing around to see who can do me a similar deal.

 

[Pushka]

Well I’m about to hit BUPA big time this afternoon with a dental appointment. A molar has started driving me crazy. I think an abscess and pain up through cheek bone and above eyes. It’s not going to be pretty. Because I’m on plaquenil my immune system is suppressed and am more liable for infections. I’m thinking root canal. Crown. Pain. Parting gesture. Might get some new glasses too. I’m going to sign up for the Defence Policy by July when the changes kick in although payments rise from April 1 it’s a month by month payment.

 

[RB]

Thanks for that. Which fund were you with? I'll be ringing around to see who can do me a similar deal.

Not always a good idea. I think there are a few things to consider & it will vary with your circumstances
Tax trap of suspending your Private Health Insurance whilst travelling overseas | KK Partners

 

[Pushka]

Not always a good idea. I think there are a few things to consider & it will vary with your circumstances
Tax trap of suspending your Private Health Insurance whilst travelling overseas | KK Partners

Ah. Very helpful.

 

[amaroo]

Not always a good idea. I think there are a few things to consider & it will vary with your circumstances
Tax trap of suspending your Private Health Insurance whilst travelling overseas | KK Partners

Indeed. A bit like turning your hot water system down/off whilst you’re away .... unintended consequences could be devastating.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Not always a good idea. I think there are a few things to consider & it will vary with your circumstances
Tax trap of suspending your Private Health Insurance whilst travelling overseas | KK Partners

As it turns out nib will suspend your insurance if you are overseas for a minimum of two months and a maximum of two years. So it won't be happening. Thanks for the link to the article; I'll read with interest for future reference.