Need advice on PHI

[dkundu]

Hi,

My name is Dinangkur. Me and my wife migrated here 2 years before. We are planning for a baby by the end of this year. But I am not sure what I should do about insurance. My income is between 50K-60K. She doesn't work at this moment, just studying to qualify as register doctor. This will be our first child. We both are worried about all these insurance thingy. Shall I get private insurance or not? If I should get which are the best? If we get one, do we have to get 12 months before the pregnancy? Any advise will be helpful.

I live in campbelltown area (NSW). Thanks.

[trishalishous]

hi Dinangkur. personally I'm glad we have phi, but the public system is great in australia.
our phi fees were the same as the medicare levy on our taxes, so we decided to get phi.
there is usually a 12 month wait for pregancy to be covered.
I think the 'choice' website (dont know if I can post link) had comparisons between different funds. otherwise each companies website will have info about their policy and what is covered.
I guess just look up a few policies to see the options, then get quotes from a few companies
hope that helps
:)

[nat278]

Hi,

As PP said, the public system in Australia is good personally never had a problem but if you want private cover I personally am with Peoplecare, I live in Victoria but the company is based in Wollongong NSW (www.peoplecare.com.au (http://www.peoplecare.com.au)) (mods remove if not allowed to post web address).

They only deal in TOP level hospital cover and prices are reasonable compared to the other funds I have been with or researched prior to joining with them.

They like most have 12 month waiting on obstetrics/pregnancy BUT as long as your due date for bubs is AFTER the 12 month waiting period expires (Drs letter to confirm date) you (or should I say your wife) and bub are fully covered and you just ring as soon as bub arrives to add them to policy.

for TOP level hospital cover (no exclusions) and MIDDLE level extras cover for a family policy (we have 3 kids already) it costs us $101.05 per fortnight so think that works out at $218/$219 per month...

HTH

Natalie

[Aaliyahsmummy]

You could try Latrobe health, they have a 9 month waiting period on obstetrics.


Also, a previous poster mentioned that the babies due date just needs to be after the 12 months but they will still cover you, this is not always the case. It is up to the individual health fund as to if they would cover you or not. I would talk to a few health funds about their policies before making a decision:)

[nat278]

Forgot to mention a few ideas to help compare funds is goto

www.iselect.com.au found our original fund through them then www.helpmechoose.com.au is where I found current fund.

Going on websites can be confusing but they have number you can call to talk to someone which I found easier.

Hope that helps too...

[hawkeye]

iselect (http://www.iselect.com.au/) is a great starting point.
my family and i are with hcf health insurance (http://www.hcf.com.au/Topics/details.asp?topicID=1&member_id=Guest) and it costs approx. $200 per month.
personally i like that if anyone of us needed care we'd get it and not be put on a long, waiting list.