Private Health Insurance

[Aquamarinejewel]

Do you have it? Or are you satisfied with the public system? I took out Private Health Insurance in July, 2000 when the Government was offering the Lifetime Cover and rebates. I often wonder if it is worth persisting with it but ultimately when premium times come around….I seem to have a good think about it and decide it’s best to continue with it.

Thoughts?

 

[Pantsless]

Do you have it? Or are you satisfied with the public system? I took out Private Health Insurance in July, 2000 when the Government was offering the Lifetime Cover and rebates. I often wonder if it is worth persisting with it but ultimately when premium times come around….I seem to have a good think about it and decide it’s best to continue with it.

Thoughts?

I've got it. I've managed to get the premiums down because I'm fairly fit and don't need alot of the extras. It can be a waste if you don't get sick of course, but then that's a good thing.

For example, I didn't have it during my late teens/early 20's and I rolled my ankle a few times and basically couldn't afford to get it looked after properly. Now I've got it and I haven't rolled my ankle in 5 years!

I'm starting to go blind, so I'm getting the nerd goggles organised and PHI should look after alot of that, plus it's good for dental as well!

 

[mantis]

I don't have it, I have to pay medicare levy every year to the government, so be buggered if I am going to pay more.

 

[Lidge]

I have HBA hospital & extras (family coverage).

IMHO - Private Health insurance is a bigger rip off than bank fees. Luckily my employer pays this as part of my 'package'.

In the last month - I've spent $950 on medical bills for a grand return of $43.

The only benefit is if you go in for elective surgery, you can jump the queue and get your work done when you want to. If an emergency, you get taken to the nearest public hospital anyway.

 

[- PC -]

I don't have it, I have to pay medicare levy every year to the government, so be buggered if I am going to pay more.

I am with you , but I also had a long hard think about things. If I am seriously ill the public health system will look after me..ok I may have to share a room with 5 other people but hey I shared with my brother for 16 years..2 weeks in a hospital is a breeze..and anyway company is good for recovery. Choose a doctor? I wouldnt know one if they fell out of a tree. I am like Bruce Willis' character in Unbreakable ... I seem to walk through life at a fairly healthy pace. Apart from some manageable health issues that dont need constant attention, coughs and colds dont bother me too much.

In assessing whether to get ''extras'' I felt the amount I paid and the amount covered had a huge differential. ie $840 a year or so and all I need are glasses ...glasses last cost me $350 all up. Now ( I could be wrong) but Health Insurance will pay some of that amount but not all. Even if they did I am in the red for extras.

I also look at it in a different way.. the $1500 given to a health insurer a year is better in my pocket , buying stuff that makes me happy. A happy PC means less visits to a doctor..win win

 

[krisholio14]

I don't have it, I have to pay medicare levy every year to the government, so be buggered if I am going to pay more.

its actually cheaper to not have to pay the levy in the long run.

as a person who works in the industry, i can tell you all youre mad not to have it, and that youre probably not making enuff use of it if youve already got it. .

 

[- PC -]

its actually cheaper to not have to pay the levy in the long run.

How?

as a person who works in the industry, i can tell you all youre mad not to have it, and that youre probably not making enuff use of it if youve already got it. .

Credibility shot right there

An analogy : I drink coke ,should pepsi be subsidised because they cant produce a product at a price that people will pay?

 

[krisholio14]

How?


Credibility shot right there

An analogy : I drink coke ,should pepsi be subsidised because they cant produce a product at a price that people will pay?

youre getting confused here son. i never said i CARED whether you had health insurance, i just said i think everybody should have it.

its my personal opinion, you dont have to agree with it. i used to think the same as you till i understood how it all works. bottom line is, you are free to choose not to have it, and youre no less of a person for not having it. its no skin off my nose whether you do or you dont. if you have decided its not for you, no problems there.

and i could have concealed the fact that i work in PHI, but chose not to because i think that if im going to express an opinion on this subject any potential conflicts of interest need to be out in the open.

 

[Pantsless]

its actually cheaper to not have to pay the levy in the long run.

That's the main reason I stuck with it.

The wife and I pay about $1500 a year in PHI.

Our medicare levies were alot more than that.

 

[Vandal]

I dont really get the point of private health insurance, I have had operations, gone to the doctor etc. and barely had to pay a cent. That is as a public patient.

 

[Constipated Duck]

Coming home from work today I heard an ad on the radio about there being changes afoot after June 30, for those aged 31+, with regard to taxes, levies etc.

Does anyone know what these changes entail... or is it just a case of a cash-grab-based attempt at persuading those of us without private H/I to go out and get it?

 

[ExTasDeeMan]

Due to some pretty bad sporting injuries i have suffered (and currently suffering) - PHI is a must for me now.

I am no longer invincible, that is something i have had to learn the hard way.

 

[*Danni*]

I looked at it for a number of years but could only afford it eventually through a pretty good corporate deal with my last job. When I finished there, I actually had to cull it with the rate rise to 'normal payment levels' as it wasn't a necessity.

Now we are shoppping around for it again.

What get's me is that as a single parent with one child I was expected to pay a whole $2.90 per month less than I am now for a 2A 3C family premium for the exact same benefits/coverage. And neither of those include Ambulance levies because I got if free as a single parent on a part pension and now get it included as a mandatory payment added on to my electricity bill.

$50 a year difference for one adult one child to 2 adults 3 children? It just doesn't make sense and really prices it out of alot of peoples reach.

 

[Macca19]

Do you have it? Or are you satisfied with the public system? I took out Private Health Insurance in July, 2000 when the Government was offering the Lifetime Cover and rebates. I often wonder if it is worth persisting with it but ultimately when premium times come around….I seem to have a good think about it and decide it’s best to continue with it.

Thoughts?

I have it with hospital cover and first choice extras. Also went through a period where I thought it wasnt worth it, only had to use it once but that probably saved my life so Im happy I kept it.

 

[Aquamarinejewel]

I have it with hospital cover and first choice extras. Also went through a period where I thought it wasnt worth it, only had to use it once but that probably saved my life so Im happy I kept it.

I have the same type of cover Macca19, and whilst I was in two minds about stopping PHI..have decided against it and will retain it.

 

[lioness]

I'm shopping around at the moment for PHI, I didn't really think I needed it and probably didn't, until my recent surgery and the complications that I am now going to face in order to have a child (if that is possible which I am also yet to find out for sure), I've been advised that it'd be a lot better for me in the long run if I have private cover. Basically I am going to need assistance every step of the way through a pregnancy......

If anyone has any opinion here, on which way I should go it is most welcome.

 

[Leper]

My family and I have international private cover (Bupa) through my work.

Before this, I went to see 4 or 5 doctors in 3 different countries (incl Aus) over a couple of years about a recurring stomach complaint, and was given a few pills and sent out the door each time.

In Jakarta of all places, with full medical / medivac cover, within hours of the doctor diagnosing I had gall stones, I was on a plane to Singapore to have them out. Untreated fk knows what would have happened (worst case = pancreatitis and before you know it you are pushing up daisies).

A doctor in Aus earlier had told me I'd have to wait 4-6 months for further tests as a stomach ache was not critically urgent.

I'm as cynical as anyone about insurance, but now converted on this one - you don't skimp on health. This thing cost the insurer ~$30k and me $0.00, but my point is not the $ it's your life and the attitude (and subsequent actions) of doctors if you aren't covered as much as anything. Spending the money is merely SKI'ing anyway.

 

[bunsen burner]

PHI is a must.

I've had a few illnesses and operations - most not covered by PHI so was very skeptical about it's usefulness. I had a good look into it and discovered that it's pretty much essential. Get a few illnesses or accidents and the fees are astronomical.

I don't like paying it and thankfully haven't got my money's worth yet - but that's only a car crash away.

 

[jmerino]

All the extended membes of our family have PHI.
my sister and I are with Commonwealth Bank as we used to work for the bank many moons ago.

great cheap cover. 80.00 per fortnight family cover with extras.

My nephew had a busted nose last year, did it on Sunday playing footy,Public health system who he was taken to immediately said come back in a week, they don't look at noss until then.The Private specialist who did some Qld Reds players and Lions who was seen on the tuesday, said if waited a week it was too late to do, as it needed then to be re broken and a much bigger op.He was done and out in a few hours, cost nothing.Happy with the job, the doctor the hospital, everything.

 

[Lidge]

All the extended membes of our family have PHI.
my sister and I are with Commonwealth Bank as we used to work for the bank many moons ago.

great cheap cover. 80.00 per fortnight family cover with extras.

My nephew had a busted nose last year, did it on Sunday playing footy,Public health system who he was taken to immediately said come back in a week, they don't look at noss until then.The Private specialist who did some Qld Reds players and Lions who was seen on the tuesday, said if waited a week it was too late to do, as it needed then to be re broken and a much bigger op.He was done and out in a few hours, cost nothing.Happy with the job, the doctor the hospital, everything.

Re-setting the nose isn't much fun. Have busted mine 5 times playing footy, and each time the trainers wouldn't touch it. Had to do it the old fashioned way - ran up the race to the rooms, found a mirror, take the snout by both hands and crunch - put it back in place. Then go back out again (although the last time I broke it, I did cop a 2nd whack in the schnozz and had to reset it twice in the one game)

Had a follow up with the quack on the Monday - and each time got the all clear, and was told they wouldn't have done any better themselves.

There you go, Lidge's handy penny saving tip on medical bills.

 

[jmerino]

Re-setting the nose isn't much fun. Have busted mine 5 times playing footy, and each time the trainers wouldn't touch it. Had to do it the old fashioned way - ran up the race to the rooms, found a mirror, take the snout by both hands and crunch - put it back in place. Then go back out again (although the last time I broke it, I did cop a 2nd whack in the schnozz and had to reset it twice in the one game)

Had a follow up with the quack on the Monday - and each time got the all clear, and was told they wouldn't have done any better themselves.

There you go, Lidge's handy penny saving tip on medical bills.

Well done.
I think they said it was busted in more than one place, was a roaming over the face if you know what I mean.Thats why he needed the surgery.

 

[TigerCraig]

All the extended membes of our family have PHI.
my sister and I are with Commonwealth Bank as we used to work for the bank many moons ago.

great cheap cover. 80.00 per fortnight family cover with extras.

.

I'm with CBHS too - they are the best. Whenever I have checked into hospital or seen a specialist, as soon as I tell the admissions person its "oh, you'll be Ok then"

 

[Leper]

I'm with CBHS too - they are the best. Whenever I have checked into hospital or seen a specialist, as soon as I tell the admissions person its "oh, you'll be Ok then"

I guess that was my point as well.

I'm sure there are a lot of people who are now pushing up daisies simply because they were of more limited means. Which is a fact of life of course (and an extension of Darwin's theory), but should it be that way when we have a govt medical system and spend $billions buying fighter planes to kill an enemy we've never been threatened by?

 

[Papa G]

If this story does not convince you of the benefits of Private cover, nothing will.

A wealthy hospital benefactor was being shown around the hospital when during her tour, she passed a room where a male patient was masturbating furiously.
"Oh my GOD!!" screamed the woman, "That's disgraceful!!! Why is he doing that??"
The doctor who was leading the tour calmly explained, "I'm very sorry that you were exposed to that, but this man has a serious condition
where his testicles rapidly fill with semen, and if he doesn't do that atleast 5 times a day, he'll be in extreme pain and his testicles could
easily rupture".
"Oh well, in that case, I guess it's ok."commented the woman. In the very next room, a male patient was lying in bed and it was obvious that a nurse was performing oral sex on him. Again, the woman screamed, "Oh my GOD!! How can THAT be justified?"

Again the doctor spoke very calmly, "Same illness, private health cover"

 

[sawf]

i am looking into this at the moment as we have a young baby now and i am struggling to understand the benefits. there are plenty of references to hospital care, theatre fees etc but very little about doctors/surgeons fees. are these covered? does it give you fast access to specialist doctors? i would have thought that this is more critical than a hospital room.

the person i spoke to did not give me a clear answer, and as i am a novice at this i was not sure how to explain what i needed to know.

am thinking get hospital cover and maybe add extras later? only extra i can see myself needing is dental, and with unexpected stuff like physio the yearly limits are not really all that high, like only $300 per year.

any advice?

cheers

sawf