Private Health Insurance

[lurker17260]

I just tried to make a claim for the podiatry consultation I had last week.  No, not covered.  I see IVF is though. 

Now, which one do you think a couple in their 50s & 60s is more likely to use?

[twinkles**stars]

Private insurance is no longer what it was. Both my daughters are considering dropping it. If the children need hospital specialist treatment they will no doubt be sent to the public childrens hospital. One daughter is about to have 2 wisdom teeth removed. Her private cover still leaves her with a bill of $1200!

In my past experience I always seemed to be out of pocket when I had top private cover.

[debra9275]

and they just keep puttting the fees for private health cover up and up. We have Blue Ribbon which is the highest i think, but it's costing us about $360 per month (for the family)  I sometimes think we should just drop it, but I'm a bit too scared to in case anything happens

Lurker, my daughter had all her wisdom teeth out a couple of years ago & we were out of pocket  too, a similiar amout to yours I think it was

[punch*drunk]

I wont have private cover. I cant afford the monthly cost and certainly cant afford the out of pocket expenses when you need hospitalisation.

Luckily we havent been sick too often I guess. I needed gall bladder surgery and only waited a few weeks and my husband injured his arm this year and waited less than 3 weeks to have it fixed. I have no complaints re the public system in Victoria. if I lived in another state, partcularly Queensland, I may think differently.

[debra9275]

Hi Puch, as Twinks said, it's not what it used to be.  You & you'r hubby were both very lucky being seen to so quickly.

Mum's had her gall bladder removed. I know how painful that is prior to having the surgery

[mtnlane]

If you were to put your monthly fees into a separate account it  would go some way to covering any expenses throughout the year - at least for the 'extras' element wouldn't it Deb?

The thought of giving it up altogether is too worrying given the waiting lists you read about - particularly with an ageing population.

We find that the extras cover covers very little these days but just grin and bear it.  Trying to compare the various benefits and companies is like trying to compare apples and oranges lol

[debra9275]

Laney when I'm doing the tax, I'll check our reciepts and work it out  lol

I have considered doing that but with OH having heart problems I'm just too scared to drop it The extras cover is for dental as well, so that's handy to have

[freddie*rooster]

My Mum gets 5 Podiatry visits per year through her GP via a Health Care Package, she is 89yrs young, so I think she deserves to get that free of charge after paying taxes for years.

[ten*teeny*tiny*toes]

I am keenly following this thread as I have a family member who, after a recent lengthy hospital stay, has been advised to look at getting private Health Cover.
Oh where to begin!!

It is just so hard to wade though and compare policies and the thought that even with the cover, there will be bills and out of pocket expenses sticks in my craw. Is it really worth it?

[debra9275]

Freddie I think all the older generation should be looked after because they've payed taxes for all of their long lives & been through wars. that's why I'm not in politics lol