Does anyone else have MBF Young Extra's Cover?

[ladybugblue84]

I am just wondering if anyone else has this cover so I can ask some questions & just discuss it.

Thanks in advance :)

[Izy]

I don't have it because the dental is too limited for me (need major dental) but I know all about it, the good and the bad, so am happy to help answer any questions :yes:

[ladybugblue84]

Basically this is the first time I have had any form of PHI so I seriously don't know anything about it at all. I got it because I want to get my teeth checked out after being pretty lazy about it in the past. I thought I'd start out with the cheapest cover to see how it works & if it's worthwhile.

I have since noticed I can use it to see naturopaths which I would like to do for my acne & potentially for the pill which is also for my acne. I guess it's all going to be trial an error as to how it all works.

A couple of questions:

It lists some pharmacies under the membercare provider search & I am just wondering if you actually get a bigger % back if you go to these pharmacies? It doesn't actually state anywhere that you do or how much where as it does with the dental, optical & the others.

In another post someone told me that I could claim the pill on my cover if the doctor stated that the pill was to treat my acne which it will mainly be for. How does this work in the claim process? Do I need to get a letter from my doc to send along with my claim in order for it to be approved?

If I found a cheaper or better extra's cover with another provider how do I swap over? Do I have to wait the waiting period again with the new fund?

I understand if you don't know the specific answers to these questions. I will make a few phone calls on Monday but just thought I'd ask here to see if someone can give me some background info. TIA.

[Izy]

Pharmacy pays the same no matter which pharmacy you go to. They pay cost -$PBS up to $50 per script. I think PBS is $32.90 at the moment... but I could be wrong. So the less expensive the script the less benefit, but your out of pocket stays the same.
The membercare factor has to do with arrangements that the pharmacies listed will give more in-depth pharmaceutical advice. Tends not to really make a big difference though. Your friend is tight that you may need a letter of autho from your GP stating that it's not for contraceptive purposes before the fund will pay though. It's just a basic letter from your dr. The letter is valid for 12 months as long as the person who receives it puts a note on your membership. You just hand it over the counter with your first receipt for the pill you take. Make sure you have held your cover for 2 months before the purchase of the pill or you will be within waiting periods.

Yes, you can claim naturopath and things (including remedial massage, homeopathy etc etc), just call up with the name and adress of someone you'd like to see before hand, cause not all providers are registered. Some aren't registered cause they don't know they have too, some cause they don't want too, and others don't have enough experience/qualifications/insurance for some funds to accept them.

If you find another cheaper/better fund you just sign up with them, sign a request for clearance, and if you have a direct debit call MBF to cancel that straight away. The rest should be handled by your new fund. The request for clearance will mean that they can then use the history of waiting periods served so that you don't need to reserve them. If you do find anything cheaper and better let me know though... cause I'd love to hear it. I simply can't find it cause this cover usually costs less than the average person claims in a year.

If you have any more questions fire away!

[ladybugblue84]

Thanks Izy you are so helpful! So I assume once you buy the pill you go into an MBF branch to make the claim?

After I had already signed up to MBF I checked out the Medibank Private Extra's cover & it seemed a lot better value for money from what I could see. I thought I'd continue with MBF to just see how it worked & then change over when I had a bit more info & once I'd used MBF once or twice to see how the claims process worked & how easy it was. Also I have already waited out my 2 month waiting period :thumbsup:.

Thanks again & if I think of anything else I'll be back.

[Izy]

Yep, just go into your local branch with 'official pharmacy receipt' (it has to show the name of pharmacy item, dosage etc- the cash register receipt is not enough), and your letter from your Dr. You should be able to collect cash in branch :thumbsup:

First choice extras does look good on the increased dental side of things, and the increased pharmacy :thumbsup:
A bit limited on the types of therapy though (only physio). Also no complimentry therapies or accident cover. Looks good though. Might be worthwhile comparing the 'set benefits' for services you use between the two covers too. So 'how much does this level of cover pay for dental item 012, or for a standard physio consult etc'

[ladybugblue84]

Yep, just go into your local branch with 'official pharmacy receipt' (it has to show the name of pharmacy item, dosage etc- the cash register receipt is not enough), and your letter from your Dr. You should be able to collect cash in branch :thumbsup:

Thanks again :yes: I probably would have grabbed just the docket & thought that would have been enough I will ask for the official pharmacy receipt. Cheers :D

[Izy]

oh... and I put some more info in the above post :p

[ladybugblue84]

First choice extras does look good on the increased dental side of things, and the increased pharmacy :thumbsup:
A bit limited on the types of therapy though (only physio). Also no complimentry therapies or accident cover. Looks good though. Might be worthwhile comparing the 'set benefits' for services you use between the two covers too. So 'how much does this level of cover pay for dental item 012, or for a standard physio consult etc'

I think I would go with the Smart Choices Cover if I was to switch over to Medibank. It's about $3 more expensive a month then what I pay for the bottom of the range cover with MBF. I don't know why but they hiked up the cost of the basic cover than what was quoted through out the website (about $6 something) to about $9.50 a fortnight :confused: I need to ask why that was when I call them.

Also with Medibank it says that it covers most PBS perscriptions, does that mean I still need to get the letter from my doc stating the pill is for my acne?

Does my current MBF cover, cover a root canal? I think the Medibank one does & I do need a root canal :(.

[Izy]

Nope- no root canal on Young Extras. With the change just check on the waitig periods for the root canal. It may be up to a 12 month wait.

The prices did go up 01/04, perhaps thats it? Otherwise I'm not too sure.

Ask them about the autho letter too. I was under the impression they needed it too, but I really don't know for sure.

[ladybugblue84]

OK cheers I will check the waiting period when I change over. I am prepared to wait for a year if I have to as I do have a filling there it just hurts every now & again & I know a root canal is in order & to be honest I have been putting off because I am very scared of having it done :(.

I will ask them about the letter but it doesn't bother me too much either way. Thanks so much for all your help :D.

[Izy]

Happy to help.

Don't be too worried about the root canal too. it really doesn't hurt that much, but the longer you leave it the worse it gets. Also reduces their chances of saving the truth. To be honest the actual endodontic part of the work is not the most expensive. The real sting is in the crown they fit afterwards. It's the reason that I have the next level up on extras

[ladybugblue84]

So can you give me a ball park figure of what a root canal would cost (including crown) without insurance?

[wantvba2c]

I have MBF young extras. I have myself DH DD and DS on this cover.

[Izy]

Anywhere from $1000 total to $5000 total. Depends on the amount of work needed, type of crown selected and what your dentist chooses to charge

[Rabbity Babbity]

Hey honey- google Noble Dentist...it has great discounts on dental and membership is once off and really cheap. Also has all the Brisbane prices...

[ladybugblue84]

Hey honey- google Noble Dentist...it has great discounts on dental and membership is once off and really cheap. Also has all the Brisbane prices...

Cheers I did have a looksy! I didn't even know anything like that existed I'll keep it in mind.

[ladybugblue84]

Pharmacy pays the same no matter which pharmacy you go to. They pay cost -$PBS up to $50 per script. I think PBS is $32.90 at the moment... but I could be wrong. So the less expensive the script the less benefit, but your out of pocket stays the same.
The membercare factor has to do with arrangements that the pharmacies listed will give more in-depth pharmaceutical advice. Tends not to really make a big difference though. Your friend is tight that you may need a letter of autho from your GP stating that it's not for contraceptive purposes before the fund will pay though. It's just a basic letter from your dr. The letter is valid for 12 months as long as the person who receives it puts a note on your membership. You just hand it over the counter with your first receipt for the pill you take. Make sure you have held your cover for 2 months before the purchase of the pill or you will be within waiting periods....

I went to my doc this morning & she said that they do not write such letters :confused: & that she didn't know what I was talking about & that I should speak to my insurer. I got the script anyway but haven't filled it yet.

I think I will give MBF a call today.

[Izy]

I HATE when dr's do that! I had some say that to me too. It's just that they don't want to write it. Just say "I need a letter saying that I take this for purposes other than contraceptive"

Thats all you need. Good Luck :thumbsup:

[ladybugblue84]

I HATE when dr's do that! I had some say that to me too. It's just that they don't want to write it. Just say "I need a letter saying that I take this for purposes other than contraceptive"

Thats all you need. Good Luck :thumbsup:

Cool so it's not unusual for them to say that they don't write them. I was thinking I had asked her a really stupid question from the response I got! Perhaps I will try another doc.