Who should I get private insurance with?

[Janesmum123]

I don't have private health insurance but I need to get some.

I'm wondering who are you insured with and how much do you pay?

I've looked around and prices vary so much depending on level of cover etc I'm just lost.

[zenifa]

You can always do some research or go via websites like Iselect, although they don't represent all funds.

My best advice is to go through a broker, its free and you have all the research and hard work done for you.
We used one to change health insurers and saved over $70/mth = $900/year.

If you are in SE Qld, I have a broker to recommend.

[DishE]

I tried to go through Iselect, but their quote was so much higher than what I was paying for the same services! I used the government website to compare: http://www.privatehealth.gov.au/

I'm with Westfund and pay just under $155 a month for basic cover with pregnancy on a family plan.

[waiting2bmum]

Hi there Anushka,

I deffinantly recommend not going through a broker or someone like Iselect, reason being they only have very few providers and their staff are not adequatly trained to advise you on the product that is suitable for you. Also, they get commission for the companies they send you too, so there is a substantial amount of bias.
I would suggest making a list of what you need out of your cover, what you want and what you could do with out, and that provides you with a few options when negotiating the best product.
Also depending on your location, there are some companies that will offer better value as far as prefered providers. But this is really going to depend on what you will use the cover for as a family, ie. Just hospital cover or hospital and extras.
I hope this has given you a bit of a guide.

[TTCin2009]

Hi Anushka,

We have just upgraded our PHI to include pregnancy and our policy costs $206 per month (HCF - hospital savings & general extras family policy with a $250 excess). If we had wanted assisted reproductive services (e.g. IVF) - that would have taken us up to $249 per month.

Thankfully we don't pay a cent as DH's employer covers the cost as part of their employee health package.

[waiting2bmum]

If you plan on going through IVF I suggest asking the insurer exactly what they pay/ if they pay for outpatient proceedures.
Most IVF is outpatient, and no benefit is payable, however for inpatient, most insurers will pay as long as you have pregnancy cover