View Full Version : Do you have Private Health Insurance?
Rabbity Babbity
20-04-2009, 14:21
If so:
Why and who with?
If not:
Why?
:)
missie_mack
20-04-2009, 14:29
Yep wouldn't be without it.
I like to be able to choose my own Dr in hospital and it gives me great comfort to know we wont be any extensive waitlists for any surgery we need. Plus I wear glasses, Dh has braces, we all get regular massages and remedial therapies, I am prescribed a non PBS medication and up until having children saved a fortune in medicare surcharges due to our income/s
We are with a not for profit healthfund which is only open to staff and their families. I have been in it since I was a newborn and it pays roughly about 70% of all our extras :)
Chunkydunks
20-04-2009, 14:40
Nope....can't afford it. Don't even know that we'd have it if we could afford it. Although I wouldn't mind it for glasses, dentist, massage and chiro but for main health care I'm happy to go public.
yep, so we dont have to pay the medicare levy.
we're with hba, but will probably change now that we have J, their rates for families are a bit rich.
It doesnt work out too bad when you visit the dentist, chiro, massage, alternative therapies and glasses. your not out of pocket too much.
Mrs Dolphin
20-04-2009, 14:54
Yes we have it although it does put a strain on the budget. But my DH needs chiro, glasses and i use it for dentist and just recently my DD has grommets put in and I had an op so was all fully covered and able to happen straight away.
It's the peace of mind that I like about it. ;)
Knocked_for_six
20-04-2009, 15:00
Yes, we have Medibank Private health insurance. Very briefly we have it so we don’t have to sit on public waiting lists, can see our preferred specialists, have a choice in which hospital we go to; less out of pocket costs at the dentist, physio, optometrist and other extra providers.
Chunkydunks
20-04-2009, 15:08
Bit of a question. what happens if you don't claim as much as you put into the fund over the years? I've seen people pay into it religiously but never claimed anything close to what they were paying back and to an outside it looked like a waste of money.
NibbleCurlynBub
20-04-2009, 15:17
No, can't afford it.
If/When I can, the kids will be the first ones to get it.
sockstealingpoltergeist
20-04-2009, 15:20
Of course you never get back what you pay, it's abusiness, and shouldn't be necessary in Australia.
We have it because of my previous experience birthing at a public hospital. I wanted to go private. Some people find them a waste of money, however in the last 3 eyars my DS has had two ops that would have had waiting lists of up to 2 years without private cover and I had 1 op that would have had a long waiting list as well.
That is why we keep it.
I feel hypocritical having though as I detest the fact that people (feel they) have to have it, and feel that our medical services should be brought up to scratch with more Drs and Nurses and more choice and better quality care for everyone.
All Australians should have free top quality cover and it's a discrace that they don't.
Sorry OT and thats my rant for the hour.
Skittles
20-04-2009, 15:23
We have full health insurance through CBHS. Although looking at changing becuase its starting to get very $$$
delirium
20-04-2009, 15:24
No we don't, partly bc we can't afford it, partly bc I think it's a rip off. If one of us got sick long term, then I would consider it, but for our family it's a waste of money.
No it's not in our budget
I agree with you 100% SSP :thumbsup:
I find it disgraceful that it all comes down to $$$ when it comes to your health and waiting lists :rolleyes:
4 yrs we would have had to wait for DS1 to have his tonsils removed and grommets put in, even though he was living on Anitbiotics due to infection after infection.
Private sector, we could have had the op, THE NEXT DAY :eek:
We're with Medibank Private Hospital only. $100 a month, although Im wondering WHY we have it, they are currently trying to stiff me on a claim from a hospital admission last week. They claim my VIRAL mengitius was a "pre exisiting" condition :mad:
They wont get away with it either, this lil black duck aint budging!!
megaminz
20-04-2009, 15:27
nope
We had it but I cancelled it after two bad claims.
I ruptured my appendix 11.5months into my policy and they faffed around needing heaps of proof that it wasn't a pre-exisitng condition..> HELLLO RUPTURED APPENDIX if it was pre-existing for a year I WOULD BE DEAD....but anyway letting it go..and then we didn't get that much back
THEN my husband got told he had advanced lymphoma, got sent for about $3500 worth of expensive tests and the DAY before he was due to start chemo got told "oh good news you dont have cancer you have sarcoid" and the insurance company took over 6 months to decide only to pay $306 of those bills for whatever reason who knows by which time we had $600 in late fees to pay!!!
So I cancelled it
Megaminz - You with Medibank Private by any chance??
megaminz
20-04-2009, 15:33
nope I was with NIB
susieq1969
20-04-2009, 15:34
Bit of a question. what happens if you don't claim as much as you put into the fund over the years? I've seen people pay into it religiously but never claimed anything close to what they were paying back and to an outside it looked like a waste of money.
Nothing I'm afraid, it's a chance you have to take
We're in one, purely because of glasses and dental. Altho I did need to use it for a chiro visit a while ago, and also now as I'm going Private in a Public hospital, which does make your stay better if a private room is available.
Plus with kids I think it's better safe than sorry for having it, as those little tykes do tend to end up in ER's sometimes!
:)
missie_mack
20-04-2009, 15:35
CD with massages, dentist, pharmacy and glasses this year we will have paid about $2500 out of our own pocket by year end and looking online we have already received about $1600 back and they still havent claimed DS' hospital stay and trip this week ...
But yes some give you a no claim money back and you can of course just get extras cover too
We have full health insurance through CBHS. Although looking at changing becuase its starting to get very $$$
This is who we are with too. We have had a few different options through our employment/unions etc etc and are yet to find any that are cheaper or pay better
sockstealingpoltergeist
20-04-2009, 15:37
I agree with you 100% SSP :thumbsup:
I find it disgraceful that it all comes down to $$$ when it comes to your health and waiting lists :rolleyes:
4 yrs we would have had to wait for DS1 to have his tonsils removed and grommets put in, even though he was living on Anitbiotics due to infection after infection.
Private sector, we could have had the op, THE NEXT DAY :eek:
We're with Medibank Private Hospital only. $100 a month, although Im wondering WHY we have it, they are currently trying to stiff me on a claim from a hospital admission last week. They claim my VIRAL mengitius was a "pre exisiting" condition :mad:
They wont get away with it either, this lil black duck aint budging!!
:banghead: Heading down the same road as the USA. the more people with private cover the less they spend on public health, the less they spend the more people want private cover.
Medical services should be a free basic human right to everyone.
Then the private health services have everyone in the palm of their hand so they deny claims. They suck.
delirium
20-04-2009, 15:40
Then the private health services have everyone in the palm of their hand so they deny claims. They suck.
:iagree::yelclap:
Megaminz - thanks for the heads up :thumbsup:
SSP - Did you watch "Sicko" by any chance? Total eye opener :eek: And you are right, heading very much that way.
Gold Coast was on by pass the day I was admitted, hence why I went Private $400 LATER just to be told it was viral mengitius and then I needed to be admitted... I was desperate so I accepted. Disgusting.
The care I received was great, private room and everything. But I felt so bad for people who simply CANNOT afford it. If we didn't have the PHI, I would most likely have been sent home as the Public system cannot cope :no:
Then I get this drama this morning when trying to claim, needless to say, I spat the dummy :o I pay $100 a month, simply to be told "Oh, we might not accept the claim yet, wait and see" :mad:
Aquamarine
20-04-2009, 15:52
Extras only- Imo private hospital cover is a huge rip off.
RedPanda
20-04-2009, 15:58
Yes, we do. Full hospital and extras. After I've had my last baby, I'll lower the level of hospital cover.
I will always have extras because I'd hate for my boys to have to wait for things like dental, optical, physio etc. In terms of hospitals, emergency cases will always get in. It's the extras stuff that I worry about waiting for.
It's way too expensive that's for sure! I'm with Medibank Private. I do believe in a user pays system (somewhat) for those can afford it.
Ana Gram
20-04-2009, 16:04
Nope, can't afford it.
sockstealingpoltergeist
20-04-2009, 16:06
Megaminz - thanks for the heads up :thumbsup:
SSP - Did you watch "Sicko" by any chance? Total eye opener :eek: And you are right, heading very much that way.
Gold Coast was on by pass the day I was admitted, hence why I went Private $400 LATER just to be told it was viral mengitius and then I needed to be admitted... I was desperate so I accepted. Disgusting.
The care I received was great, private room and everything. But I felt so bad for people who simply CANNOT afford it. If we didn't have the PHI, I would most likely have been sent home as the Public system cannot cope :no:
Then I get this drama this morning when trying to claim, needless to say, I spat the dummy :o I pay $100 a month, simply to be told "Oh, we might not accept the claim yet, wait and see" :mad:
Oh yes I love watching doco's.
Yes I have had great private care, and comparing it to what I got when I went public, it's really shameful.
I had my tonsils removed about 7 years ago and went public, I was on the waitying list for over 2 years and my health was suffering and I couldn't work or study properly because I was sick all the time.
Our DS has needed two ops since he was born and as soon as we decided he was straight in.
A few weeks ago I went and saw a specialist and had to have an op, he gave me one 6 days after the initial consultation.
If you think a fund has denied a claim unfairly then adress it with the fund. Make sure you provide the documentation they request (cause there are alot of people that join expecting to get pre-existing conditions covered within a month or so TRUST me on that). If the fund is still being unreasonable go to the ombusdman!
SSP I think you're spot on!
I have private cover and wouldn't be without it. It's the choice and the access to services. I've seen people wait for things in the public system that were considered debhilitating but not life threatening so they kept getting bumped. I've even seen real tragedies from things like cancer in the public system where it was identified early but treated too late.
In saying that I don't think I'd ever bother with private cover for emergency trauma treatment. Public triage is USUALLY (not always) better.
Sadly I have used my hospital cover alot. I've claimed more than I've paid and thats with 5-6 hospital admissions. Then theres the extras :p
Chunkydunks
20-04-2009, 16:22
:banghead: Heading down the same road as the USA. the more people with private cover the less they spend on public health, the less they spend the more people want private cover.
Medical services should be a free basic human right to everyone.
Then the private health services have everyone in the palm of their hand so they deny claims. They suck.
:iagree: Its very sad. DH had to wait nearly a year to have his bilateral hernias operated on and it took a lot of jumping up and down by one GP for that to happen as quick as it did.
As far as optical, dental and physio go.
All my optometrist appointments are covered by medicare, I'm also lucky enough (or unlucky however you see it) that I get contact consultations for free too. I can get a medicare funded pair of glasses every 12 months, sure they're not the latest and greatest styles but they're available to me, I would have to pay extra for my lenses because I have high index lenses. I don't get these because I tend to go for something a little more durable because I have had DS break 2 pair of glasses on me in the past. I just save the money when I need new glasses. My lenses are the biggest expense for me though. At $160 per lense last time they are far from cheep.
We budget in a dental check up for us all each year (I know its not the recommended 6 months but its something). We could go public but unless there is something majorly wrong it takes forever to get an appointment so we pay the private cost and deal with it. If anything more than a check up is needed we save for it and deal with the problem until we can afford it.
With physio we've both been lucky enough to have Dr's refer us on care plans so if anything you pay the gap which at the most is $20 a visit. We can get the same thing if we need counselling.
I can see a nutritionist for free, I've even spoken to one when we went vego and were concerned about DS not getting enough iron.
When we were seeing the chiro we were forking out the money to see him but it was worth it. He was the only person to be able to get rid of my tendinitis.
If we didn't have the huge waiting lists and hospitals that are simply falling apart I'd say there was little wrong with our medical system.
Also what insentives are there for Drs to be in the public system? (serious question) From an outsiders perspective they'd make more money being in a private practice wouldn't they?
If you think a fund has denied a claim unfairly then adress it with the fund. Make sure you provide the documentation they request (cause there are alot of people that join expecting to get pre-existing conditions covered within a month or so TRUST me on that). If the fund is still being unreasonable go to the ombusdman!
I currently am :thumbsup:
It sucks when Im denied a LEGIT claim, especially when I have been upfront from day dot about my health when we joined, only to have **** thrown back at me :no:
Yes. Why? I'm in Queensland, so I worry I'd die waiting in the public system.:rolleyes:
I only got hospital cover when I was about 27 as I was about to go over the tax threshold and I decided to have a baby. Unfortunately, they changed the threshold and I got pregnant straight away so it didn't really serve either purpose.
but I kept it for the above reason, plus there's that huge disincentive if you take it out after 30.
I really hate the fact that people can "buy" better healthcare. I'd rather that we all pay a little more tax and everybody gets good care.
Bit of a question. what happens if you don't claim as much as you put into the fund over the years? I've seen people pay into it religiously but never claimed anything close to what they were paying back and to an outside it looked like a waste of money.
any insurance is a gamble. People tend to see private health differently, but it's just another insurance.
It would be like saying, what happens if I don't get enough of my possessions stolen to justify contents insurance?
So whether it's a waste of money depends on how much risk you are willing to assume.
Nonetheless it's not a fun bill to pay.:rolleyes:
Mamaduke
20-04-2009, 19:19
Yes. We can't really 'afford' it but we make concessions elsewhere in order to have it.
I couldn't stand to be told if (God forbid) something happened and one of the boys needed surgery, well that's deemed as elective and your child has to go on a waiting list.
Papaduke is the only bread winner of the family so we also have income protection in case he's incapacitated for any amount of time. Life goes on and bills need to be paid and if he's sick and can't work we need to be assured that the mortgage will still be paid and he gets the medical attention he needs straight away.
And me...oh, if I were to get sick the whole place would fall apart!
I've always thought I insure my home, contents, car...my health and the health of my loved ones is much more important.
If so:
Why and who with?
If not:
Why?
:)
MBF: because i have heaps of kids and need it :yes:
Yep, with Medibank.
Have only used it for the dentist so far but :fingerscrossed: for obstetrics soon!!
I think it's a rip off but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
TripleTime
20-04-2009, 21:16
We have full health insurance through CBHS. Although looking at changing becuase its starting to get very $$$
Same here. Our fortnightly payments just went up $6 a fortnight but wont be any extra to add the kids.
Reason we have it, both wear glasses, i have teeth issues that need fixing due to a cleft palet & lip. If we didnt have it we wouldnt be able to get my teeth fixed as i am now over 18 & the public system wont allow it.
Someone is a pervious post said they dont have it but when they do their kids will be the first to. Parents need to be covered before kids are able to be covered.
EvangelinaOne
20-04-2009, 21:41
We have complete cover with Manchester Unity and they have been fantastic. My DD needed major surgery at the end of last year which cost thousands and we never saw a bill. She was in hospital for a week in a private room with one of the best surgeons in the country looking after her. They made everything really easy for my husband to sought out.
I am now pregnant and all of my hospital costs will be covered. We also claim dental, eye care and physio. It will be a few years before we have paid back the amount of last years claim. We have never had any problems and wouldn't think of changing.
I would consider our family very fortunate if we never have to make a claim again. Especially after what my DD went through.
SorenLorensen
20-04-2009, 21:54
yes we have it and would not be with out it.
we have never had a problem with a clam and having DD1 who has a couple of issues we have used it a LOT.
jalibali
21-04-2009, 21:51
any insurance is a gamble. People tend to see private health differently, but it's just another insurance.
It would be like saying, what happens if I don't get enough of my possessions stolen to justify contents insurance?
So whether it's a waste of money depends on how much risk you are willing to assume.
Nonetheless it's not a fun bill to pay.:rolleyes:
I so agree! I have every other type of insurance and people never ask me about that!!
So yes we have top level private health insurance, we are with Teachers Health. It is expensive but worth every cent and we have never had any issues making claims.
TripleTime
21-04-2009, 21:54
Jalibali - Life insurence?
Its one thing we have.
JasmineLouise
21-04-2009, 22:00
No, not now.
But soon. It is just so expensive. We already have so many expenses... as soon as i finish uni and start working, because at the moment, my pay is less than desirable.
I work in a Public hosptial and I make sure we have top cover untill you see what goes on you don't think you need it But you sure as hell do..
Yes it is expesive but it is well worth the money I don't want to have to wait to have an Op if i can get it done ASAP caues I have insurence..
I need an Op late last year and my Dr was I can do it this week or you will have to wait 18 months if your lucky if you want to go public.. Well I didn't need it to be done stratight away but i had it done
when I wanted
on the day I wanted
in the hospital i wanted
with the Dr I wanted no Jr Dr cutting me open...
I am with Medibank Private on SmartPlus cover which covers DH and our kids. We pay $91.84 a fortnight (about $210 a month) and I am on a VIP membership as I am a Govt. employee.
It is very expensive but I upgraded to get more out of it from my IVF treatment and I wanted to go private when I have the baby.
I also claimed my IVF meds, acupuncture, glasses, dental etc so we definitely get some back each year of what we pay.
When I got to hospital for the baby I won't be paying anything other than my $200 excess for a 5 to possibly 7 day stay so I am very happy with that - no cost on that IMO for first baby - I couldn't handle being kicked out after two days at the public.
I will prob downgrade after the baby is born and look at some others as Medibank is I think one of the dearest.
Lil Bugs Mummy
22-04-2009, 08:36
Just letting everyone know cos i only found out the other day, you can just get extras cover and choose what extras you want, heaps cheaper i got one thru iselect.com.au its 30 bucks a month and we get dental, physio and optical and ambulance. Also to note that if you don't have private look at getting just ambulance thats not covered by medicare its 115 a year in south aust.
take care
jalibali
22-04-2009, 21:14
Jalibali - Life insurence?
Its one thing we have.
yep - got it!
Good Idea on the ambulance.... it is different in every state though.
Extras only is an affordable option for some people but perhaps do dome independent research with I-select. They only recommend the funds that pay them to promote their products (I was so unimpressed when I found our company paid to list one of our products gggrrrr)
TripleTime
22-04-2009, 21:41
Dam im good. After my Dad was dignosed with cancer 4yrs ago, its one thing i wouldnt go with out.
If either DF or I were to pass, we would be in a massive mess.
ladybugblue84
22-04-2009, 22:03
No I don't have private health insurance & to be honest the whole thing confuses the heck out of me. Can't I just pay up front if I need an operation or something & don't want to wait on the waiting list? I'm happy to pay for any private dental bills that come up so I can get treated ASAP can't you just do the same for operations or are we talking heaps more money? I just don't like the idea of forking out money monthly to a health fund when I never need to see a doctor *touch wood*.
yep.. we have in.. always have
thinking of switching from the top cover that we are on to a lower one (well, really all it means is a bigger excess), but the savings just aren't that great
dunno.. still looking into it
we will always have it, but don't need the very top anymore as no more babies means no more obstetrics! :)
our fund has paid bills well over $50k
My operations were on average about $2k-$5k
Urban Tumbleweed
19-05-2009, 14:57
We have it and wouldn't be without it. If we didn't have it we would have to pay a higher medicare levy because of my DP income so its actually cheaper for us to have it. I like to pick my own Dr's and hospital. So far aside from 'extras' we've claimed the birth of my son and a gallbladder removal. I agree with some of the other posts - we have car, house, contents, income and life insurance so it only makes sense for us to have health insurance aswell. But each to their own :)
A Party of Five
19-05-2009, 16:34
We do not have it, I am yet to find one that seems worth it, I hate the paying money each month etc then using a service and still paying a gap etc, I just do not see how it is really worth it, for us the only really thing we would use is dental, so I would rather just pay for this at the time we use it etc.
I have no problem going public in a public hospital, I am not sure how I would feel though if we had to wait a long period for something.
I have had to pay for my son to see speech therapists etc but I get so much through Medicare majority covered for a certain number of sessions so I have always just done this etc.
I just at this stage can not see the benefit in it, and we just do not have that spare money laying around either.
Team Blue
19-05-2009, 17:10
Yes, we have PHI with Medibank Private, it's only Hospital Cover though. More for peace of mind with two young boys.
We pay $100 a month, with a $300 per year excess, so if we stay in hospital once, we only pay that excess ONCE per calendar year, the rest is free.
We do have a daily Co-payment on the room we use, capped at $250. It's $50 a day for a shared room or $80 for a private.
Milliner
19-05-2009, 17:19
I chose other as I only have extras cover - no hospital cover.
Even if we could afford it, I don't think that we would get it.
I love JJJ
20-05-2009, 06:20
We have full cover through MBF (hospital and extras) as we get a great corporate rate through DH's employer.
I look at PHI much the same as any other insurance- a necessary evil. I simply like the peace of mind it gives.
You never want to have to use it for anything major of course (you always want your family to be healthy) but it's good to know that's it's there if you do need it.
I would hate to think that DD or DH would need a major operation and got very sick, or even worse, waiting on a public waiting list.
People die on waiting lists all the time. It's very sad.
In saying that, I had DD through the public system (my choice) as I was worried about a certain condition of mine. All went well though so I plan to have the next bub through the private system.
Mummaholic
20-05-2009, 07:08
I feel hypocritical having though as I detest the fact that people (feel they) have to have it, and feel that our medical services should be brought up to scratch with more Drs and Nurses and more choice and better quality care for everyone.
All Australians should have free top quality cover and it's a discrace that they don't.
Sorry OT and thats my rant for the hour.
:iagree:
Team Blue
20-05-2009, 08:46
I agree too SSP!
The reason why we feel we need it, is due to the fact QLD Health is the WORST health system in the country!
We were told it would be 4 years on the waiting list to go public for DS1's grommet/tonsil/adnoid operation, depsite the fact he was constantly on medication from the infections. Surely that could not be healthy for his teeth and digestive system... apparently it wasn't a good enough reason :rolleyes:
We saw a private surgeon and could have the operation THE NEXT DAY privately, so we paid for it. Despite the fact we pay tax and apparently have "adequate" access to public health.
Last night I heard on TV that NSW Health is slicing jobs here in the Tweed Hospitals, Murwillumbah and Byron Bay Hospitals... then a rep stated that the public would still receive the same high level of care... HOW??
That's my rant LOL
Thats exactly why I'd like to see more people that can afford PHI to buy it. By having private cover it reduces the stress on the public system.
Think of the number of patients in beds in private hospitals around the nation, now imagine all those patients being transfered into the public system... :eek:
Answer to OP's question: yes, Australian Unity, $310 per month (intermediate hospital + full extras)
I can see what you are saying Izy, and I know the public system is stressed ... BUT ...
By encouraging the wealthier section of the population to have private cover, we are building TWO health systems. One well-funded, cushy, and attractive for health professionals to work in, one underfunded, unluxurious, and attractive only to those who are either a) idealistic and altruistic (fabulous) or b) unable to get a job in the private system.
And people who can't afford private cover (who will often having poorer health anyway because they are less priveleged) are then forced to endure sometimes substandard care and conditions.
Unless the government reintegrates the two systems I CANNOT see that situation improving. Once upon a time, Medicare actually covered a lot of things for a lot of people, and there was no need to have private cover. Yank all the government money/taxbreaks etc OUT of the private system and put it back into the public, I say. Or issue EVERYONE with "private health care dollars" through the Medicare system so that the barrier between the two systems disintegrates and everyone can go shopping for better healthcare, regardless of income.
Ideology aside, I have had private health cover for most of my adult life. At first, it was just for the extras (Medibank Private used to buy my gym shoes!), and then I usually had corporate cover through my job.
Now, I have a husband who cycles to work, and two small children who present a looming major dental crises (both my hubby and I had braces, so we're expecting the girls will too.)
But at $300 a month, I am thinking of dropping the hospital cover and going with extras only. I'd like to go without altogether, but the teeth thing worries me the most. And in 10 to 15 years when the girls need it less, Nick and I will be entering that danger period for heart disease et al, so I can't see us ever dropping it.
The hypocrisy :crying:
Team Blue
20-05-2009, 09:36
The only issue I have with them yanking the private health money/tax breaks Jaq, is would they actually PUT the money into the public system... I doubt it. Something else would gobble that money up.... i.e Their payrises, which has *shock* been frozen till September.
Im in total agreeace though, the two systems need to be intergrated and funded as a WHOLE, not the way it's currently.
I found it amazing the amount of times staff in the private sector commented on the pulic sector whilst in hospital oer Easter. I was admitted in a Private Hospital using Private Health Cover.
I needed a lumber puncture and the Dr said "Oh, you would have had a needle in your back before when you had your kids" (When he saw my face, absolutely terrified of the needle heading my way) when I said "No, I didn't have anything of the sort! I had my kids naturally"
He then asked me where I had my kids, when I replied in a birth centre... his response..
"Oh that explains it, you went PUBLIC... typical of the public system"
That stuck out to me like tits on a bull, public and private Dr's have an "Us Vs Them" mentality with health!!
Instead of supporting each other, health has turned into a competition... who can outdo each other on care and well being.
onabreak
20-05-2009, 09:52
Yes, I am with MBF and pay $130/mth for hospital and extra's.
I would not be without private health insurance as three years ago I found a tumor growing, I saw my dr who sent me to a surgeon after tests and was operated within 5 days of diagnosis. He said if I was on the public system I could be waiting 12mths with the tumor doubling in size and becoming cancerous.
We have three children aswell and couldn't risk the waiting lists if the ever got very sick.
Urban Tumbleweed
20-05-2009, 12:59
If the govt no longer gave people with private health cover the 30% rebate you would find that quite a big chunk of people would be forced to drop out which would mean even longer waiting lists in the public hospitals. I wouldn't be counting on the govt to spend the rebate on the public system, just have a look at the latest budget.
nope
We had it but I cancelled it after two bad claims.
I ruptured my appendix 11.5months into my policy and they faffed around needing heaps of proof that it wasn't a pre-exisitng condition..> HELLLO RUPTURED APPENDIX if it was pre-existing for a year I WOULD BE DEAD....but anyway letting it go..and then we didn't get that much back
THEN my husband got told he had advanced lymphoma, got sent for about $3500 worth of expensive tests and the DAY before he was due to start chemo got told "oh good news you dont have cancer you have sarcoid" and the insurance company took over 6 months to decide only to pay $306 of those bills for whatever reason who knows by which time we had $600 in late fees to pay!!!
So I cancelled it
This is my No. 1 peeve with health insurance. I had a similar thing happen and trust me would have cancelled the policy but my work pays for it as a perk of my job so I still have it. The last thing you need when you're at your weakest is battles with call centre staff as to whether your injury illness is pre-existing, whether your policy covers that particular rare illness/injury. And yes, like you I didn't get much back either once it was approved. Still out of pocket a $1000.
So yes, I have my health insurance but only use it for things like dental, other than that I will go public all the way.
That's a pretty good question. I am actually scouting for an insurance provider since we don't have one yet.
Right now I am looking at the options from this: http://www.medibank.com.au/
Has anyone tried them? If yes, what can you say about their services?
I admit I am not too keen about getting one for myself, but I guess having a baby will change your opinion at some point. :)
Looking forward to your suggestions re insurance. It would be a great help.
Cheers!
MyLittlePrincess
18-03-2011, 13:38
yes have private insurance- not by choice as if we don't have it we would be taxed more, but personally i find it for me as a waste of money as i hardly use it and what i use it for i could pay the full fee and still have more money in my pocket due to health fund hight rates....
Nope...never really thought I could afford it. Not really fussed I dont have it to be honest.
DS is covered with FOBs private health insurance so he's set.
We have it because I didn't want to join after 30 and pay more.
I like to be able to choose my own surgeon (DS has had 2 operations (1 hernia, 1 testicle related), DH has had nose surgery, I've had a laparoscopy)
I felt more at ease having my chosen OB at the birth of my DS.
I would rather be treated in a private hospital than my local public
Pina Colada
18-03-2011, 13:47
Yes absolutely have private health insurance. Have been covered since the day I was born, and will be until the day I die.
I was with Medibank Private for years, but have recently changed to HCF.
Our family has private health insurance for a variety of reasons, including having to move frequently, and some of the regional public hospitals are appalling, I do not want my children placed on a waitlist for years for surgery in a public hospital, and for choice of doctor.
I don't understand why people get so hung up on not 'using' their health insurance enough? I have house insurance and contents insurance and car insurance that I use far FAR less then health insurance, and I would never dream of cancelling them for that reason....
I don't understand why people get so hung up on not 'using' their health insurance enough? I have house insurance and contents insurance and car insurance that I use far FAR less then health insurance, and I would never dream of cancelling them for that reason....
That is so true.
I too would never get rid of ours.
1CrazyMoose
16-04-2011, 21:05
Yes,
because I wouldnt trust QLD health with the lives of my children. The waiting periods are far to long.
I am with QLD country health $240.45 per month.
Yes we have PHI. I have had mine since I was 20 when I found out I may need prosthesis' in the future when I was diagnosed with a degenerative bone disease. To get cover for that, obviously I needed the top shelf.... I had been in my parents cover until I was 18, so jumped back in with the same company (TUH) as they have a pretty good reputation.
My DW has been with her insurer for several years now, and we are going private for the birth of our first child in Nov. When we have to put our child onto DW's policy, I will also change so we have just the 1 policy.
Due to my condition, us both wearing glasses, and the fact that if we have a boy he will also need an operation or 2 in the first few years of his life, we will definitely not get rid of it.
Bit of a question. what happens if you don't claim as much as you put into the fund over the years? I've seen people pay into it religiously but never claimed anything close to what they were paying back and to an outside it looked like a waste of money.
Yeah, that's me!
I have been paying $106 for over a yr and a half and I have never claimed a single thing...
That's a pretty good question. I am actually scouting for an insurance provider since we don't have one yet.
Right now I am looking at the options from this: http://www.medibank.com.au/
Has anyone tried them? If yes, what can you say about their services?
I admit I am not too keen about getting one for myself, but I guess having a baby will change your opinion at some point. :)
Looking forward to your suggestions re insurance. It would be a great help.
Cheers!
I am with Medibank Intermediate Hospital which covers Pregnancy. It worked out cheaper for me to go Public so, I didn't use the Medibank coverage at all.
Adding a dependent to the policy also increased the premium. SEriously, a waste of money and I don't know why I am having it besides the fact that the premium increases if I don't have it.
I also have the Basic Extra which is great for massage and acupuncture.
Go to www.privatehealth.gov.au instead of individual company website.
privatehealth gives a list of all policies and what you can claim for all the health funds. Pretty handy if you are starting to scout for one.
HCF is pretty good if you have major dental issues. The claim is up to $1200
share a book
17-05-2011, 13:21
No. It's an unaffordable luxury.
Yes, we do. 1) because we'd have to pay the medicare levy without it, and 2) because I like being able to choose my doctor/hospital, and worry that if something were to happen to either DD or DH or myself, we'd be waiting a long time to have the issue addressed in the public system...
It's expensive, but we make sure we have the money each fortnight to pay it as I wouldn't be without it.
ETA. Oh, and we're with MBF. It was the cheapest I could find for what we wanted...
Myztiks#1Fan
17-05-2011, 13:40
I wish we did but its not in my budget to afford it.
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megs legs
17-05-2011, 14:19
I so agree! I have every other type of insurance and people never ask me about that!!
So yes we have top level private health insurance, we are with Teachers Health. It is expensive but worth every cent and we have never had any issues making claims.
Totally agree, we have all types of insurance too! It's discussed as if it's different to other insurances.. Though that's probably because you all hope it won't be needed with the other types of insurance but with health it's more so that you will want to use it or know that you most likely will.
We have top hospital and basic extras. We are with Latrobe health in Melbourne ( we are nsw residents) people up here have no idea who they are. Been with them for over three years an have been happy. Got insurance as I've got a long standing relationship with depression and private mental health facilities are the ONLY ones you will ever want to step foot in. And also due to severe endo we were ready for fertility issues, luckily we seem to have the opposite problem ;)
I thank my stars for private hospy as I truly believe I would have had a micro prem instead of a full term bub if it was not for a private ob.
I truly get people not being able to afford insurance and those who belive the public is as good as private but in my case it wasn't.
I hate to think others are not getting the same level of care as they didn't pay for it and have been over this many times with my mothers group ( they were all public patients) but I do like to think that as those that are fortunate enough to be able to afford it I am at least taking the strain of a very over worked and understaffed medical system.
Latrobe is fairly reasonable in my opinion as we are, and always have been a single income house and my hubby is only a factory worker and we are able to budget for it.
share a book
17-05-2011, 14:27
Having a single income of full time work is different to being on Centrelink payments (PPS is only $650/fn) with a special needs child with no other income :)
I had my daughter in a public hospital and cannot fault them. My SIL just had her bub last week in a private hospital and it was disgusting. I would never go there to have a baby even though I did have the option through work. I hated their policies, their rooms are small, and they have a high rate of unexpected c-sections and a low breastfeeding success rate, the midwives and nurses we came across in the last week were leftovers from the 50s and the food was atrocious, without the option of vegan or vegetarian meals. Everyone I've spoken to who went public for their bubs have had the same experience as I have, with my cousin's daughter having her bub in the same public hospital in January just gone. She was treated like royalty, was able to ask for different options for her meals to suit her lifestyle, was listened to, had the birth she wanted, left there breastfeeding confidently, and every time she buzzed a nurse there was one within 5 minutes. My SIL waited 20 minutes the other day. The rooms in the public hospital might be 2 to a room with a dividing curtain but each of the spaces would be almost double the space of the rooms in the private hospital.
So for me, if I have another baby and wasn't able to homebirth, the public hospital is the next best place :)
megs legs
17-05-2011, 14:34
I had my daughter in a public hospital and cannot fault them. My SIL just had her bub last week in a private hospital and it was disgusting. I would never go there to have a baby even though I did have the option through work. I hated their policies, their rooms are small, and they have a high rate of unexpected c-sections and a low breastfeeding success rate, the midwives and nurses we came across in the last week were leftovers from the 50s and the food was atrocious, without the option of vegan or vegetarian meals. Everyone I've spoken to who went public for their bubs have had the same experience as I have, with my cousin's daughter having her bub in the same public hospital in January just gone. She was treated like royalty, was able to ask for different options for her meals to suit her lifestyle, was listened to, had the birth she wanted, left there breastfeeding confidently, and every time she buzzed a nurse there was one within 5 minutes. My SIL waited 20 minutes the other day. The rooms in the public hospital might be 2 to a room with a dividing curtain but each of the spaces would be almost double the space of the rooms in the private hospital.
So for me, if I have another baby and wasn't able to homebirth, the public hospital is the next best place :)
Wow see it seems to be a lot to do with the hospital too as what you are describing as the private was a nice was to describe our public hospital! Lol
share a book
17-05-2011, 14:45
At the time my cousin's daughter had her baby earlier this year, there was a 15% rate of an unwanted c-section delivery compared to the 65% rate at the private hospital as of last week. With breastfeed, in January there was a 94% success rate on leaving hospital compared to the 32% last week at the private hospital.
Wait times from buzzing to seeing a nurse were 1/3 less in the public hospital than in the private hospital, and the only staff member that was nice in the private hospital last week was a very young nurse who did all her training through the public hospital and only started as a qualified nurse in March at that hospital. The others were just hags. They said newborns should only be fed 3 to 5 hourly and if he cries in between feeds just pat him on the back, if that doesn't work just leave him sort his issue out :/
Sorry for this, I have a real problem with that hospital after seeing that type of thing going on.
No, we don't have it, and will never get it.
Why? Because we can afford full private medical bills if we need it, as opposed to paying PHI fees for something we may never claim on. We would rather spend the money WHEN we need it, not for IF we need it.
*Excuse my autocorrect, it hates me.*
You could pay 100K for operations with scaring and heart complications? Nice for some.
Bell & Bug
17-05-2011, 15:54
You could pay 100K for operations with scaring and heart complications? Nice for some.
If it came to that, yes we could, but I was more talking your every day gall bladder, wisdom teeth, reconstruction, appendix, realignment type operations where we could easily pay for it out of savings. Nice for some, yes, and I am incredibly blessed.
*Excuse my autocorrect, it hates me.*
Pina Colada
17-05-2011, 16:04
No, we don't have it, and will never get it.
Why? Because we can afford full private medical bills if we need it, as opposed to paying PHI fees for something we may never claim on. We would rather spend the money WHEN we need it, not for IF we need it.
*Excuse my autocorrect, it hates me.*
Do you feel the same about other insurances?
Bell & Bug
17-05-2011, 16:12
Do you feel the same about other insurances?
For funeral cover, pet insurance, life insurance and income protection I feel the same way about. For house insurance, contents insurance and car insurance I don't.
*Excuse my autocorrect, it hates me.*
MyAlterEgo
17-05-2011, 16:31
Bit of a question. what happens if you don't claim as much as you put into the fund over the years? I've seen people pay into it religiously but never claimed anything close to what they were paying back and to an outside it looked like a waste of money.
Well nothing happens, my IL's are paying for top hospital and extras and stupidly go public for most medical things (MIL has multiple probs with reg hospital visits, specialists) they wait on the waiting lists and then complain they are paying the PHI fees... :freakingout: MIL just doesn't realise how much they CAN use with their and ewven when I point it out they don't claim... strange...
My parents on the other hand also have PHI only ever claimed for glasses dental etc over the years they were like many thought paying more than they claim until Mum had to have gall bladder removed after several hospital admissions in unbearable pain, public wait was 2 years, she had it done privately in 2 weeks and then just as she arrived home from that op (they live in remote WA) her lung colapsed and the other lung developed a blood clot she was rushed back to Perth with the RFDS. In just these 2 illnesses her medical bills were over $40,000 and at $150 per month it'd take alot of years of PHI to pay premiums equalling her medical costs.
OP. We are with Peoplecare, pay $164 per month for their basic private and mid level extras. We are covered fully for private hospital for everything except
Psychiatric
Rehabilitation
Cardio-thoracic surgery
Eye surgery
Joint replacement
Obstetrics
Reconstructive surgery
Dialysis
Voluntary sterilisation
Assisted reproductive services
which we are still covered fully but as private patient in public hospital so for me I still get my private OB for birth just use the public hospital (ours is brand new so no complaints here) and we are young/healthy enough that the others aren't of huge concern to need them yet so will just upgrade later in life when more 'at risk' of needing that stuff. Personally wouldn't be without it.
brizbabe71
17-05-2011, 17:32
Yes I have PHI-have had it for years when married and stayed on as a single parent
I have it for Miss 11 and mine eyes and teeth predominately
I am with TUH
For us it isnt so much the cost, but the access to services. I have so many examples of times we have got straight into see a specialist, where waiting lists in public hospitals are huge. We are with MBP. The private hospital I had bub in was amazing.
My PHI just paid for my $685 prescription sunnies! YIPPEE!!
We have top cover and yes, it is expensive but we use it whenever we need it.
FutureMa
17-11-2011, 10:14
Well, I originally got it when the tax changes came out about 6 years ago I think. I would have got smashed at end of financial year had I not had cover.
I use it for things like dental (I go every 6 months), optical, extras such as massage, and when I got married, we combined our policy and added on the Maternity cover because we wanted to go private with our first baby.
SassyMummy
17-11-2011, 10:31
Nope. I just cancelled mine. It was only top hospital cover, not extras, and I only got it to cover my surgery.
I see no point. I don't have ongoing medical costs, and I don't use extras (okay, I see a dietician every so often, but $60 every couple of months is not worth the cost of extas cover just for that).
I'll prob get it once I'm 30 because of that levy thing (yeah, I know a lot about it as you can tell... lol). If something happens and it needs fixing, I will go public and get it done through Medicare. If something happens to my family, then we'll get it and deal with it then.
Stumbleine
17-11-2011, 11:20
We have top cover private health insurance with Defense Health.
I would never be without it for atleast my children. We got our statement a few months back and they paid out over $12000 for a 6 month period due to my DD having emergency surgery etc as a private patient. While we would be able to afford to pay for it out of our own pockets, it certainly helps not having to!!!
No, I'm on a disability pension and saving to build a house with DP so it's not a justifiable expense. We might do it in the future when we move in together to avoid the medicare levy if we're earning above that amount.
No, I'm on a disability pension and saving to build a house with DP so it's not a justifiable expense. We might do it in the future when we move in together to avoid the medicare levy if we're earning above that amount.
Fair enough, I feel good having PHI, knowing that I am keeping a bed free in the public system for someone who really can't afford to go private due to other circumstances such as disability etc.
Fair enough, I feel good having PHI, knowing that I am keeping a bed free in the public system for someone who really can't afford to go private due to other circumstances such as disability etc.
That's very thoughtful :goodvibes: :goodvibes: :goodvibes:
Yes- to avoid paying a ridiculously large amount of tax!
The only thing we've ever claimed is our yearly dental checks - fortunately for us we're both very healthy people at the moment- No glasses, physio & very few if any medications!
Don't know what we'd do if we didn't need it for tax- it's nice knowing we don't have to wait if anything comes up and DH has old rugby injuries that could possibly cause problems later on in life- but for the $200 something we pay each month (mbf) it hardly seems worth it!
I'm going through the public system to have bub and have been pretty happy with it so far. Could have gone private but we couldn't afford the out of pocket costs such as the money the ob charges and the public hospitals in my area are quite good.
My little munchkin due May 2012! So to keep me busy till then, I'm learning how to use my iPhone.
nicole83
17-11-2011, 12:51
Both my hubby and I transferred over to our own when we got married three years ago. We were previously on each of our parents' cover. There was no question about having it, we were always going to. But I thank my lucky stars that we do have it and had served all waiting periods because we weren't to know only 9 months after getting married that we would require IVF :(
NancyBlackett
17-11-2011, 13:16
We have it and I am extremely grateful for it. Having had an unexpected health problem pop up, private health insurance enabled me to see a specialist virtually straight away and he organised for me to see two other specialists on the same day to help me decide how to proceed. My operations were then booked in for the following weeks and I will be (fingers crossed) fully healed by Christmas and nowhere near as out of pocket as I would be without insurance.
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